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Teledermatology for skin cancer prevention: an experience on 690 A ustrian patients
Author(s) -
Massone C.,
Maak D.,
HofmannWellenhof R.,
Soyer H.P.,
Frühauf J.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of the european academy of dermatology and venereology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.655
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1468-3083
pISSN - 0926-9959
DOI - 10.1111/jdv.12351
Subject(s) - medicine , teledermatology , triage , dermatology , skin cancer , cancer , emergency medicine , telemedicine , health care , economics , economic growth
Background Recent studies investigated the value of teledermatology (TD) as a valid tool for a dermatologist‐directed triage systems. Objective To investigate the feasibility of a store‐and‐forward TD triage system in a large number of patients. Methods Previously trained general practitioners selected suspicious skin tumours in the setting of a general preventive medicine screening programme and transmitted their dermoscopic images via virtual private network for decision‐making. Within 48 h, two teleconsultants highly experienced in dermoscopy first assessed image quality, then made a diagnosis and answered if lesions were to follow‐up, to excise or to be re‐evaluated at face‐to‐face ( FTF ). Results A total of 955 lesions were telediagnosed [743 (78%) benign melanocytic, six (0.6%) malignant melanocytic, 186 (19%) benign non‐melanocytic and 20 (2%) malignant non‐melanocytic]. Excision was recommended for 111 (12%) lesions, 10 lesions (1%) were referred to FTF examination. Follow‐up was recommended for 707 (74%) lesions. The vast majority of the lesions (82%) were screened as benign and an intervention was requested in only 18% of cases. Eighty‐two patients (12% of the total) were lost at follow‐up. The diagnostic accuracy was of 94% with sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 95.8%. Conclusions We confirm that TD is suitable to triage skin cancers.