Source: Manuelle Medizin  |  Posted 8 years ago

Computerized-image analysis of pigmented skin lesions can improve the recognition of dangerous lesions that are otherwise clinically unsuspicious.

This was the conclusion of a study by Dr Jean-Claude Bystryn and colleagues of the Ronald O Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, United States.

Early melanoma can be difficult to differentiate from other pigmented lesions. The researchers in this study tested a computerized-image-analysis instrument to see if it could improve differentiation.

They obtained 52 pigmented lesions that appeared clinically benign to an experienced dermatologist, but which were suspicious by the image analysis.

The investigators found that 17% of the lesions that were removed solely on the computer recommendation were, in fact, potentially dangerous and should certainly have been removed. Of the nine lesions that proved potentially dangerous, one was a malignant melanoma []in situ[], and 8 were dysplastic nevi, with moderate to severe cytologic atypia.