BackgroundCurrent assessment of rosacea relies on subjective visual scoring, which often fails to capture subtle changes predictive of treatment response or progression. Multimodal imaging may provide complementary quantitative structural, vascular, and biomechanical information to improve disease evaluation.ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility of multimodal ultrasound, including grayscale ultrasound (GSUS), shear wave elastography (SWE), and ultramicro angiography (UMA)-combined with multispectral skin imaging (MSI) and investigator global assessment (IGA) scores in detecting rosacea and monitoring treatment response.MethodsForty participants (20 rosacea and 20 healthy controls) were examined. IGA erythema and papule scores and all imaging parameters were obtained from identical facial sites before and after 4-week barrier-repair therapy. The epidermal thickness (ET), dermal thickness (DT), color pixel percentage (CPP), SWE elasticity values (E_mean, E_max, and E_min), and erythema indices (EAR and REI) were extracted from the images. Data between the two groups were compared using Student's t-test for normally distributed variables, the Mann-Whitney U test for nonnormal variables, and the chi-square or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. Diagnostic performance was assessed by measuring the area under the curve of a receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC).ResultsCompared with healthy controls, patients with rosacea exhibited significant alterations in ultrasound parameters, including reduced ET and DT and increased CPP, alongside significant changes in erythema-related parameters on multispectral imaging. ROC analysis showed that ET and CPP may have potential value in distinguishing rosacea from healthy skin. Following treatment, ET and DT increased, while CPP and IGA scores decreased, whereas SWE parameters showed no significant change.ConclusionMMUS combined with MSI and IGA enables quantitative assessment of structural, vascular, and erythema-related changes in rosacea. This multimodal imaging clinical approach may serve as an adjunctive objective tool for the evaluation and monitoring of rosacea. Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR): ChiCTR2600128241ConclusionMMUS combined with MSI and IGA enables quantitative assessment of structural, vascular, and erythema-related changes in rosacea. This multimodal imaging clinical approach may serve as an adjunctive objective tool for the evaluation and monitoring of rosacea. Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR): ChiCTR2600128241
[1]Wannan Med Univ, Affiliated Hosp 2, Dept Ultrasound, Wuhu 241006, Anhui, Peoples R China.
[2]Wannan Med Univ, Affiliated Hosp 2, Dept Dermatol, Wuhu 241006, Anhui, Peoples R China.
[3]Wannan Med Univ, Affiliated Hosp 2, Dept Radiol, Wuhu 241006, Anhui, Peoples R China.
(8.0+极速模式)