Introduction: This prospective study was aimed at examining the modification of ultrasound characteristics of psoriatic plaques during desoximetasone and dithranol treatment.
Material and methods: The examination included 50 patients with chronic plaque-type psoriasis to whom 0.25% desoximetasone and dithranol was applied on the psoriatic lesions in the period of 21 days. The changes were measured before and every 7 days after the beginning of therapy by the combined application of A- and B-mode echosonography. RESULTS. At the beginning of the examination, the average values of the enter echo were 0.67 +/- 0.53 mm; hypoehogen shadow 0.30 +/- 0.11 mm, and dermis thickness 3.03 +/- 1.05 mm. On the first check up, the average values of the enter echo were 0.45 +/- 0.29 mm; hypoechogen shadow 0.23 +/- 0.08 mm and dermis thickness 2.65 +/- 0.97 mm. On the second check up, the average values of the enter echo were 0.30 +/- 0.18 mm; hypoechogen shadow 0.21 +/- 0.18 mm, dermis thickness 2.18 +/- 0.82 mm. On the third check up, the average values of the enter echo were 0.24 +/- 0.17 mm; hypoechogen shadow 0.18 +/- 0.17 mm, and dermis thickness 1.8 +/- 0.69 mm. DISCUSSION. The evaluation of the ultrasonographic characteristics revealed a significant reduction in the values in the course of the examination. Statistically significant differences were found before, during, and at the end of the examination by recording the ultrasound parameters of the epidermis and dermis and by following their modification. CONCLUSION. Precise determination of ultrasound parameters of epidermis and dermis and the possibility of recording their modification in a shorter or longer time interval can be used for monitoring and assessment of therapy effect of a medication.