Accuracy of high frequency ultrasonography in determining free margins of basal cell carcinoma of face

Preoperative assessment of skin tumors extensions have a potential role to increase the efficiency of surgery and maximal preservation of function and cosmetics in the treatment of invasive types of basal cell carcinoma (BCC).
A total of 72 patients with BCCs on face were included in the study. Gross maximal width of tumors were documented, and then high frequency ultrasonic (HFUS) maximal width and depth of these lesions were determined. Then conventional surgical excision was done and these margins were determined in pathology lab. The comparison of ultrasonic and pathologic depth, and difference of HFUS and pathologic widths from gross clinical width were done with paired t-test.
The mean depth of BCCs were 3.09 mm (SD= 1.02) in HFUS and 2.86 mm (SD=1.22) in pathology (P=0.1). The mean difference from gross width were 4.05 mm (SD=1.18) in HFUS and 4.26 mm (SD=1.70) in pathology (P=0.09).
High frequency sonography has a good accuracy in detection of width and depth of BCCs of face, especially in tumors smaller than 10 mm, and can help to determine safe margins non-invasively, especially in cosmetic and functional critical areas.