Cutaneous ultrasound in the diagnosis and assessment of inflammatory activity in tinea capitis

Abstract

Introduction

Although the diagnosis of tinea capitis is mainly microbiological, the risk of evolution towards cicatricial alopecia in the most severe cases requires empirical treatment based on physical examination and complementary examinations.

Methods

Two patients were evaluated by physical examination, cutaneous ultrasound and microbiological examination.

Results

Ultrasound showed follicular widening and increased vascularization in Doppler mode. In one of them, the finding of severe inflammatory activity led to the indication of oral corticotherapy.

Discussion

Cutaneous ultrasound could play a role not only in supporting the clinical diagnosis but that it may even guide the indication of treatment in the presence of severe inflammation that sometimes may not manifest itself clinically.

Conclusion

Cutaneous ultrasound may constitute an additional test of considerable usefulness in the diagnosis and evaluation of inflammatory activity in cases such as the ones presented, fast, non-invasive and of high accessibility.