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Total body photography for skin cancer screening
Author(s) -
Dengel Lynn T.,
Petroni Gina R.,
Judge Joshua,
Chen David,
Acton Scott T.,
Schroen Anneke T.,
Slingluff Craig L.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1111/ijd.12593
Subject(s) - medicine , photography , visualization , skin cancer , medical physics , computer vision , artificial intelligence , nuclear medicine , computer science , cancer , art , visual arts
Abstract Background Total body photography may aid in melanoma screening but is not widely applied due to time and cost. We hypothesized that a near‐simultaneous automated skin photo‐acquisition system would be acceptable to patients and could rapidly obtain total body images that enable visualization of pigmented skin lesions. Methods From F ebruary to M ay 2009, a study of 20 volunteers was performed at the U niversity of V irginia to test a prototype 16‐camera imaging booth built by the research team and to guide development of special purpose software. For each participant, images were obtained before and after marking 10 lesions (five “easy” and five “difficult”), and images were evaluated to estimate visualization rates. Imaging logistical challenges were scored by the operator, and participant opinion was assessed by questionnaire. Results Average time for image capture was three minutes (range 2–5). All 55 “easy” lesions were visualized (sensitivity 100%, 90% CI 95–100%), and 54/55 “difficult” lesions were visualized (sensitivity 98%, 90% CI 92–100%). Operators and patients graded the imaging process favorably, with challenges identified regarding lighting and positioning. Conclusions Rapid‐acquisition automated skin photography is feasible with a low‐cost system, with excellent lesion visualization and participant acceptance. These data provide a basis for employing this method in clinical melanoma screening.