Elastography Ultrasound in Localized Scleroderma (Morphea): A Prospective, Longitudinal, Multicentric Pilot Study

Project Period:
2021-2023

Grant Category:
Small Grant

Disease Area:
Scleroderma, SVARD

Localized scleroderma (LS) is a skin disease that can cause complications such as disfigurement and limitation of mobility. Treatment for LS should be initiated early in the disease, as late-stage scleroderma does not respond well to treatment. Objective tools for diagnosis and follow-up of treatment for LS are not available clinically and are urgently needed. Our group has previously studied a new non-invasive ultrasound technique called “elastographyā€¯ which measures stiffness of tissues. This technique holds potential for providing objective measures for follow-up of treatment of LS in children and adolescents. We now plan to conduct a four-center study in North America to determine whether elastography ultrasound can show changes in skin stiffness for a period of 9 to 12 months after initiation of treatment for LS. This novel technology may add information to the existing imperfect clinical tools, thus improving the way therapy is offered to patients with LS.

Investigators

Andrea Schwarz Doria , MD

The Hospital for Sick Children