The cutometer and ultrasonography in the assessment of postburn hypertrophic scar--a preliminary study.

Sixteen patients with various degrees of postburn hypertrophic scars were evaluated by ultrasonography and elastometry. An Aloka Echo Camera (SSD-500) with a 7.5 MHz probe and a Cutometer SEM 575 skin elastometer were used. Serial monthly examinations were performed using both pieces of equipment. In some patients, more than one scar was assessed. The assessments were correlated with clinical grading of the progress of the scars. It was noted that ultrasonography was very sensitive in the localization of scar tissues, distinguishing them from normal skin, assessment of thickness and also delineation of the extent of scar tissues. The subcutaneous part of the scar could be assessed. Cutometer SEM 575 is a new machine that applies a gentle suction to the skin to measure its viscoelasticity. It is sensitive, the inter-observer variation is low, and it could be used for the grading of a scar. These two assessment techniques compliment other methods of scar assessment and will prove useful when assessment of response to treatment is required.