Abstract
Background and Objective
Technological improvements have helped digital cameras become widely available and inexpensive. Dermatopathologic diagnosis is often aided by clinical information. The purpose of this study was to determine whether submitting a digital image along with a skin biopsy provides additional helpful information to the dermatopathologist.
Methods
Digital pictures were taken of the lesion being biopsied and were submitted along with routine paper work to the dermatopathologists. The dermatopathologists interpreted the skin biopsy as usual without viewing the digital image, and then later viewed the submitted picture. The dermatopathologists evaluated the help provided by the image.
Results
A clinical digital image was helpful in confirming the initial diagnosis and narrowing down the differential diagnosis (p < 0.001). Including pictures did not change the diagnosis, result in an increase in the differential diagnosis, or result in fewer or additional step sections being performed. Digital imaging of inflammatory disorders was felt to be good help in 43% of the biopsies and narrowed down the differential diagnosis in 31%.
Conclusion
In certain cases the inclusion of a digital image may help a dermatopathologist. Digital imaging was found to be most helpful in evaluation of inflammatory disorders.
Sommaire
Antécédents et objectifs
Grâce aux améliorations technologiques, les appareils photos numériques sont devenus faciles à acquérir et bon marché. Le diagnostic dermatopathologique est souvent appuyé par les données cliniques. L’objectif de la présente étude est de déterminer si une image numérique soumise avec la biopsie de la peau fournit une information additionnelle utile au dermatopathologiste.
Méthodes
Des photos numériques des lésions subissant une biopsie ont été soumises aux dermatopatologistes avec la documentation régulière. Les dermatopathologistes ont d’abord interprété la biopsie comme d’habitude sans consulter les photos et ont regardé les photos par la suite. Ils ont évalué I’aide fournie par les images.
Résultats
L’image numérique clinique a été utile dans la confirmation du diagnostic initial et pour restreindre le diagnostic différentiel (p < 0.001). L’ajout de photos n’a pas modifié le diagnostic, résulté en une augmentation du diagnostic différentiel ou en un changement du nombre d’étapes nécessaires à la biopsie. L’ajout de photos numériques d’éruptions cutanées a aidé dans 43% des biopsies et a limité le diagnostic différentiel dans 31% des cas.
Conclusion
Dans certains cas, I’ajout d’une image numérique peut aider le dermatopathologiste. Les images sont surtout utiles dans I’évaluation des èruptions cutanées.
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.References
JE Olerud PA Kulin DE Chew et al. (1992) ArticleTitleCutaneous T-cell lymphoma Arch Dermatol 128 IssueID4 501–507 Occurrence Handle10.1001/archderm.128.4.501 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:By2B2Mrjslc%3D Occurrence Handle1580657
B Werner S Brown AB Ackerman (2003) ArticleTitle“Hypopigmented mycosis fungoides” is not always mycosis fungoides! Dermatopathol Pract Concept xx xx–xx
EA Krupinski B LeSueur L Ellsworth et al. (1999) ArticleTitleDiagnostic accuracy and image quality using a digital camera for teledermatology Telemed J 5 IssueID3 257–263 Occurrence Handle10.1089/107830299312005 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3cvgt1Ggtg%3D%3D Occurrence Handle10908439
JD Whited RP Hall DL Simel et al. (1999) ArticleTitleReliability and accuracy of dermatologists’ clinic-based and digital image consultations J Am Acad Dermatol 41 IssueID5 693–702 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3c%2FgsF2nug%3D%3D Occurrence Handle10534630
R Wootton SE Bloomer R Corbett et al. (2000) ArticleTitleMulticentre randomized trial comparing real time teledermatology with conventional outpatient dermatological care: societal cost-benefit analysis BMJ 320 1252–1256 Occurrence Handle10.1136/bmj.320.7244.1252 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3c3lvFehug%3D%3D Occurrence Handle10797038
JC Kvedar RA Edwards ER Menn et al. (1997) ArticleTitleThe substitution of digital images for dermatological physical examination Arch Dermatol 133 161–167 Occurrence Handle10.1001/archderm.133.2.161 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByiC1MvjvFQ%3D Occurrence Handle9041828
WE Slue (1989) ArticleTitlePhotographic cures for dermatological disorders Arch Dermatol 125 960–962 Occurrence Handle10.1001/archderm.125.7.960 Occurrence Handle2742391
LA Wilcox RE Grimwood (1995) ArticleTitleA comparative study of the 35-millimeter images versus digital images Military Med 160 IssueID9 470–472 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BymD28njvVQ%3D
DA Perednia JA Gaines TW Butruille (1995) ArticleTitleComparison of the clinical informativeness of photographs and digital imaging media with multiple-choice receiver operating characteristics analysis Arch Dermatol 131 292–297 Occurrence Handle10.1001/archderm.131.3.292 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByqC1MvgsV0%3D Occurrence Handle7887658
DA Vidmar D Cruess P Hsieh et al. (1999) ArticleTitleThe effect of decreasing digital image resolution on teledermatology diagnosis Telemed J 5 IssueID4 375–383 Occurrence Handle10.1089/107830299311943 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3cvgt1GntQ%3D%3D Occurrence Handle10908453
A Bittorf M Fartasch G Schuler et al. (1997) ArticleTitleResolution requirements for digital images in dermatology J Am Acad Dermatol 37 195–198 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByiH3MnlsFc%3D Occurrence Handle9270503
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
About this article
Cite this article
Fogelberg, A., Ioffreda, M. & Helm, K.F. The Utility of Digital Clinical Photographs in Dermatopathology. JCMS 8, 116–121 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10227-004-0104-x
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10227-004-0104-x