B-mode ultrasound evaluation of skin thickness in progressive systemic sclerosis.

B-mode ultrasound scanning was studied as a noninvasive means of determining skin thickness in the extremities of patients with progressive systemic sclerosis. Skin thickness determined by ultrasonic scanning was compared with skin thickness determined by an established radiographic technique. A high degree of correlation was observed between measurements made by these techniques. Our studies suggest a potential application of B-mode ultrasound in the diagnosis and serial evaluation of patients with progressive systemic sclerosis.