Ultrasonographic and strain elastographic features of epidermal cyst according to body location

摘要

BackgroundThere are not many studies on the differences of ultrasound (US) findings between epidermal cysts (ECs) located in the trunk and those in the extremities. PurposeTo compare the sonographic findings of ECs according to location in the body (trunk vs. extremity) and evaluated the feasibility of strain elastography (SE). Material and MethodsThis is a retrospective study of 76 patients with surgically confirmed non-ruptured EC who underwent US including SE. The US analyses included size, shape, ratio of depth to length (DLR), involvement of more than half the dermis, "submarine sign," and SE characters of each lesion. SE findings were assigned into four grades based on elasticity. ResultsThe submarine sign was more significantly observed in ECs located in the trunk versus extremities (P value = 0.004 and 0.035, respectively). Truncal lesions were significantly more likely to possess an ovoid shape (P 0.05). More-than-half signs also did not exhibit a significant difference (P > 0.05). ConclusionThe submarine sign, ovoid shape, and tall lesions (higher DLR) are common in the trunk. However, the degree of elasticity and number of more-than-half signs did not differ between the two groups.