CHARACTERISTICS OF MALIGNANT MELANOMA EXAMINED BY 20-MHz ULTRASOUND

Summary. High frequency ultrasound examination of the skin lesions is a relatively new, increasingly important additional diagnostic method in dermatology. Using 20-MHz ultrasound, we have analysed eight skin lesions clinically suspected and subsequently pathohistologically verified as malignant melanoma. The echograms of the examined lesions showed in dermis, under the entry echo, nonechogenic formations, irregularly oval in shape, with more or less pronounced sharp-pointed hypo- or nonechogenic elongations spreading into the surrounding dermis. Lesion borders, particularly distal, were relatively clear, which enabled easier determination of the lesion diameter. The described echographic characteristics were related to clinically very suspected skin lesions for malignant melanoma. Final diagosis of malignant melanoma is still in the domain of pathohistology. 20-MHz ultrasound may be useful for preoperative measurement of lesions diameter. Key words: Malignant melanoma, 20-MHz ultrasound, diagnostic