| Sumario: | The authors studied the longitudinal (sagittal images) and transverse (coronal images) of chronic wounds using an ultrasound scanner with a 4x1 cm linear array transducer at a frequency of 8 to 12MHz (WOUND-MAPPING, Hudson Diagnostic Imaging LLC, Elmwood Park, New Jersey). Examples of chronic wounds (pressure ulcers, diabetic ulcers, venous ulcers, ischemic wounds, and inflammatory ulcers [e.g., due to rheumatoid arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum, or vasculitis]) were mapped and studied. This technique provided a clear illustration of the chronic wounds and the surrounding tissue up to a depth of 6cm. Wound surface, wound margins, granulation tissue, nonviable tissue, reticular dermis, subcutaneous fat, and bone surface were analyzed. Exact length, width, and depth (volume) measurements were performed on the different types of chronic wounds including those with cutaneous undermining and sinus tracts. Granulation tissue, localized edema, and deep tissue damage were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. Bone surface erosion and osteomyelitis were diagnosed and visualized. Characteristics of the scan were identified and compared to pathologic studies. This high-resolution ultrasound scanner is an accurate and reproducible diagnostic tool that may assist the physician in the objective diagnosis of wound etiology.
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