The rationale for using a stacking treatment mode in High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) therapy is to achieve complete volumetric clearance of thick or deep skin lesions by treating the tissue from the bottom up. This method employs a sequential application of handpieces with different focal lengths, specifically starting with a deeper setting (e.g., 1.8 mm) to treat the base, followed by a shallower setting (e.g., 0.8 mm) to treat the surface.
By prioritizing deeper tissue layers before treating the surface, stacking treatment ensures optimal ultrasound penetration through undamaged skin. This allows for the effective, single-session removal of nodular lesions, such as seborrheic warts, without the energy attenuation that would occur if surface tissue were damaged first.
The Mechanics of the Stacking Protocol
Sequential Depth Targeting
The core of the stacking strategy lies in the specific order of application.
Practitioners begin by using a handpiece with a deeper focal length, typically around 1.8 mm. This creates thermal necrosis specifically at the base of the lesion, anchoring the treatment at the root of the problem.
Surface Layer Follow-up
Once the base is treated, the practitioner switches to a shallower handpiece, such as 0.8 mm.
This second pass targets the upper layers of the lesion. This two-step process effectively "stacks" the thermal damage zones to cover the entire vertical height of the nodule.
The Physics of Penetration
Preserving Wave Integrity
The primary technical reason for treating deep layers first is to maintain the integrity of the ultrasound waves.
Ultrasound waves require a medium to travel through. If the surface layers were treated first, the resulting necrosis and tissue changes could scatter or block subsequent waves intended for deeper targets.
Passing Through Undamaged Tissue
By starting deep, the ultrasound energy passes through undamaged skin layers on its way to the 1.8 mm target.
This ensures that the maximum amount of energy reaches the base of the lesion without being absorbed or attenuated by pre-existing surface damage.
Clinical Efficiency and Outcome
Complete Lesion Clearance
Nodular or thick lesions require more than superficial heating to be fully removed.
Stacking ensures that the entire volume of the lesion—from the dermis up to the epidermis—is subjected to necrotic temperatures.
Single-Session Efficacy
Because this method addresses the full depth of the lesion in one visit, it significantly increases the likelihood of clearance in a single session.
This reduces the need for repeated visits and improves patient satisfaction for conditions like thick seborrheic warts.
Understanding the Trade-offs
Strict Adherence to Protocol
The success of this mode is entirely dependent on the order of operations.
Reversing the order (treating shallow then deep) negates the benefits, as surface damage will impede the deeper energy delivery, leading to incomplete treatment of the lesion's base.
Depth Precision
While effective, this method requires precise selection of focal depths (e.g., 1.8 mm vs 0.8 mm).
Using depths that do not align with the actual thickness of the lesion could result in either insufficient treatment of the base or unnecessary damage to healthy underlying tissue.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
When deciding on a treatment protocol for benign skin lesions, consider the morphology of the target tissue.
- If your primary focus is treating flat, superficial pigmentation: A single-pass, shallow treatment is likely sufficient and avoids unnecessary deep thermal deposit.
- If your primary focus is clearing thick, nodular lesions (e.g., seborrheic warts): The stacking mode is essential to ensure the energy reaches the base of the lesion without surface interference.
Mastering the sequence of depth is the key to maximizing HIFU efficacy for volumetric skin concerns.
Summary Table:
| Feature | Deep Layer (First Pass) | Surface Layer (Second Pass) |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Focal Depth | 1.8 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Primary Target | Base/Root of the lesion | Upper layers/Surface |
| Tissue Condition | Passes through undamaged skin | Targets remaining superficial tissue |
| Key Benefit | Maximum energy penetration | Volumetric lesion clearance |
| Typical Indication | Nodular seborrheic warts | Thick benign lesions |
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References
- Jacek Calik, Natalia Sauer. Healing Process after High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Treatment of Benign Skin Lesions: Dermoscopic Analysis and Treatment Guidelines. DOI: 10.3390/jcm13040931
This article is also based on technical information from Belislaser Knowledge Base .
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