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Color Doppler Ultrasound Pattern of Cutaneous Exosomes at High and Ultra-High Frequency

Ximena Wortsman MD

Corresponding Author

Ximena Wortsman MD

Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago, Chile

Institute for Diagnostic Imaging and Research of the Skin and Soft Tissues, Santiago, Chile

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA

Address correspondence to Ximena Wortsman, MD, Department of Dermatology, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Lo Fontecilla 201 of 734, Las Condes, Santiago 75091018, Chile.

E-mail: [email protected]

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Natacha Quezada MD

Natacha Quezada MD

Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago, Chile

Dermaline Center, Santiago, Chile

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First published: 11 July 2025

All of the authors of this article have reported no disclosures.

Abstract

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that play a crucial role in intercellular communication and are becoming an increasingly popular worldwide aesthetic procedure. To date, the ultrasound changes in the cutaneous layers generated by exosomes have not been reported. We present 3 cases that were ultrasonographically studied before and 3 months after the last exosome procedure, using high (24 MHz) and ultra-high (71 MHz) frequencies. The exosome regions were compared with the contralateral (non-treated) areas and adjacent tissues before and after application. Hyperechoic islets in the upper hypodermis and an increase in dermal vascularity were detected in these cases, forming a consistent pattern in the 3 cases at the exosome regions. This may be related to a mild degree of inflammation and neoangiogenesis in the treated regions. In 1 patient with alopecia, there was evidence of hair follicle growth at the exosome area. Further investigations are needed to examine the persistence of these changes over time and the impact of local trauma on the ultrasonographic abnormalities resulting from the application of these agents. The capability to identify ultrasonographic patterns in cutaneous exosomes may help discriminate them from abnormalities present in dermatologic diseases, particularly when patients do not provide a clear history, and monitor anatomical changes more objectively.

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