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Utility of a gel stand-off pad in the detection of Doppler signal on focal nodular lesions of the skin

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Abstract

Purpose

Gel pad is an aqueous, flexible, easy available, disposable spacer used for the ultrasound (US) scan of superficial or difficult-to-visualize areas. In clinical practice, it is widely used in B-mode US approach of superficial lesions but, to date, no data have been provided as to its efficacy in the Doppler detection of superficial flows. The aim of our study was to demonstrate the role of stand-off gel pad in the detection of the otherwise-missed peri- or intra-lesional flow signals on Doppler imaging.

Materials and Methods

A total of 100 superficial lesions undergone to an US evaluation using a 7.5–12-MHz linear probe were evaluated prospectively with and without interposition of a gel stand-off pad to detect the presence or absence of vascularization and to classify the vascular pattern.

Results

Peri- or intra-lesional flow was demonstrated in 56% of cases without and in 84% of cases with interposition of a gel stand-off pad; moreover, a statistically significant difference (p value < 0.001) was observed at Chi-square test in the identification of the flow pattern between the use and no use of the pad.

Conclusions

The use of a gel stand-off pad allows the detection of otherwise-missed peri- or intra-lesional flow signals on Doppler imaging, increasing the diagnostic role of this technique in differential diagnosis of superficial lesions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Motor Science and Wellness Department, University of Naples “Parthenope”, Via F. Acton 38, 80133, Naples, Italy

    Antonio Corvino & Domenico Tafuri

  2. Advanced Biomedical Sciences Department, University Federico II of Naples (UNINA), Via S. Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy

    Antonio Corvino, Maria Raffaela Campanino & Francesco Verde

  3. Radiology Department, National Cancer Institute Pascale Foundation, Via M. Semmola 53, 80131, Naples, Italy

    Fabio Sandomenico

  4. Vascular and Interventional Radiology Department, Cardarelli Hospital, Via A. Cardarelli 9, 80131, Naples, Italy

    Fabio Corvino & Francesco Giurazza

  5. Radiology Unit, Istituto Diagnostico Varelli, Via Cornelia dei Gracchi 65, 80126, Naples, Italy

    Orlando Catalano

  6. Via B. Croce n. 82, 81033, Casal di Principe, CE, Italy

    Antonio Corvino

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  1. Antonio Corvino
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Corvino, A., Sandomenico, F., Corvino, F. et al. Utility of a gel stand-off pad in the detection of Doppler signal on focal nodular lesions of the skin. J Ultrasound 23, 45–53 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40477-019-00376-3

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