Open AccessCorrecting for possible tissue distortion between provocation and assessment in skin testing: The divergent beam UVB photo‐test
Author(s) -
O'Doherty Jim,
Henricson Joakim,
Falk Magnus,
Anderson Chris D.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
skin research and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.521
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1600-0846
pISSN - 0909-752X
DOI - 10.1111/srt.12055
Subject(s) - image warping , provocation test , computer science , artificial intelligence , robustness (evolution) , torsion (gastropod) , computer vision , erythema , rotation (mathematics) , medicine , dermatology , surgery , pathology , biology , biochemistry , alternative medicine , gene
Background In tissue viability imaging (TiVi), an assessment method for skin erythema, correct orientation of skin position from provocation to assessment optimizes data interpretation. Image processing algorithms could compensate for the effects of skin translation, torsion and rotation realigning assessment images to the position of the skin at provocation. Methods A reference image of a divergent, UVB phototest was acquired, as well as test images at varying levels of translation, rotation and torsion. Using 12 skin markers, an algorithm was applied to restore the distorted test images to the reference image. Results The algorithm corrected torsion and rotation up to approximately 35 degrees. The radius of the erythemal reaction and average value of the input image closely matched that of the reference image's ‘true value’. Conclusion The image ‘de‐warping’ procedure improves the robustness of the response image evaluation in a clinical research setting and opens the possibility of the correction of possibly flawed images performed away from the laboratory setting by the subject/patient themselves. This opportunity may increase the use of photo‐testing and, by extension, other late response skin testing where the necessity of a return assessment visit is a disincentive to performance of the test.