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Review
. 2025 Mar 27;14(7):2298.
doi: 10.3390/jcm14072298.

Advances in Skin Ultrasonography for Malignant and Benign Tumors of the Head and Neck: Current Insights and Future Directions

Katarzyna Stawarz  1 , Adam Galazka  1 , Magdalena Misiak-Galazka  2 , Monika Durzynska  2 , Anna Gorzelnik  1 , Karolina Bienkowska-Pluta  1 , Jacek Korzon  1 , Filip Kissin  1 , Jakub Zwolinski  1
Affiliations
Review

Advances in Skin Ultrasonography for Malignant and Benign Tumors of the Head and Neck: Current Insights and Future Directions

Katarzyna Stawarz et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

Ultrasound imaging has become an indispensable diagnostic tool across various medical fields. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the use of ultrasonography for the evaluation of skin lesions. However, scientific reports detailing the precise role of ultrasound in determining the morphology of malignant skin tumors still remain limited. Malignant skin lesions, particularly in the head and neck region-their most common location-pose significant challenges due to the complex anatomy of these areas. The primary treatment for non-melanoma skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), is surgical excision. Mohs micrographic surgery is considered the gold standard due to its tissue-sparing approach and high cure rates. However, it is a time-consuming and resource-intensive procedure that is not always widely accessible. In contrast, standard surgical excision, while more widely available, often results in incomplete tumor removal, necessitating subsequent surgical radicalization or the use of adjuvant therapies. Routine ultrasound evaluation of both benign and malignant skin lesions could enhance early detection and facilitate timely treatment. However, the current body of evidence for the usage of skin ultrasound in presurgical evaluation is poor and lacks standardization. Given these challenges, in this review, we aim to highlight the potential value of preoperative skin ultrasonography in accurately assessing benign and malignant skin lesion dimensions and morphology.

Keywords: Mohs surgery; basal cell carcinoma; high-frequency ultrasonography; melanoma; squamous cell carcinoma.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
An image illustrating non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancer types, highlighting the correlation between their etiology and sun exposure.
Figure 2
Figure 2
An image depicting the etiology of skin cancer (A) and a schematic graph illustrating skin histology, which can be assessed using ultrasound (B).
Figure 3
Figure 3
An ultrasound image illustrating skin histology as visualized using high-frequency ultrasound.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Macroscopic view of basal cell carcinoma (A) with a corresponding ultrasound image (B), presenting a hypoechoic nodule with a hyperechoic border and multiple intranodular hyperechoic dots. Stars indicate tumor margins.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Macroscopic image of SCC (A) with a corresponding ultrasonographic image (B) showing a hypoechoic infiltrative nodule with irregular, ill-defined borders. Stars indicate tumor margins.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Macroscopic image of Merkel cell carcinoma (A) with a corresponding ultrasonographic image (B). Stars indicate tumor margins. The yellow box indicates the area covered by the ultrasonographic field of view.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Macroscopic view of malignant melanoma (A) with a corresponding ultrasonographic image (B). Stars indicate tumor margins. The yellow box indicates the area covered by the ultrasonographic field of view.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Macroscopic view of early stage mycosis fungicides (A) with a corresponding ultrasonographic image (B). Stars indicate tumor margins.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Macroscopic view of a forehead fibroma (A) with a corresponding ultrasonographic image (B), showing a well-defined tumor with mixed echogenicity and a hyperechoic surrounding band. Stars indicate tumor margins.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Macroscopic image of a cheek epidermoid cyst (A), with an arrow indicating the cyst orifice. The corresponding ultrasound image (B) displays the epidermoid cyst with a visible duct (arrow). Stars indicate the lesion margins.
Figure 11
Figure 11
Macroscopic view of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (A) with a corresponding ultrasound image (B). Stars indicate tumor margins. The yellow box indicates the area covered by the ultrasonographic field of view.
Figure 12
Figure 12
Macroscopic view of cutaneous lymphoma (A) with a corresponding ultrasonographic image (B). Stars indicate tumor margins.
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