A novel total body digital photography smartphone application designed to detect and monitor skin lesions: a pilot study

Nicholas Guido; Erika L. Hagstrom; Erin Ibler; Chantelle Carneiro; Kelsey A. Orrell; Ryan C. Kelm; Alfred W. Rademaker; Dennis P. West; Beatrice Nardone

doi:10.18282/jsd.v6.i2.177

Nicholas Guido Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
Erika L. Hagstrom Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
Erin Ibler Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
Chantelle Carneiro Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL Department of Internal Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
Kelsey A. Orrell Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
Ryan C. Kelm Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
Alfred W. Rademaker Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
Dennis P. West Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
Beatrice Nardone Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18282/jsd.v6.i2.177

Keywords: smartphone application, skin self-examination, skin cancer, total body digital photography, skin lesions

Abstract

Although some smartphone applications are designed for total body photography (TBP), few offer the specificity that enables self- as well as dermatologist-, detection of new lesions, or change in lesion color or in size as little as 1mm, on an ongoing basis. The aim of this study is to assess the sensitivity of a novel TBP application in the detection of changes to color and size of simulated skin lesions. Twenty-five subjects underwent one study visit. After baseline photography, new artificial markings were made or naturally occurring pigmented lesions located in any anatomical region were enhanced/enlarged, and a second matching set of photographs was then taken. From all 25 subjects, a total of 262 skin markings were evaluable. Of these, 241 (92%) were detected by the app, which resulted in an overall sensitivity of 92%. The high sensitivity establishes the app as capable of providing reliable self-TBP that allows detection and monitoring of new skin lesions or change in both size and color. This method greatly enhances the ability to accomplish ongoing self-monitoring and yet provides quality informing images to the dermatologist to assist in decision-making with the patient.

Author Biography

Beatrice Nardone, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine

Dr. Nardone received her MD from University of Catania (Italy), where she completed her dermatology clinical and research training over a 6-year period in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Catania in Catania, Italy. While in Italy Dr. Nardone completed an internship, Dermatology residency, and studied as a PhD student at the University of Catania. Dr. Nardone has continued her studies as a Visiting PhD Scholar for the years 2009 and 2010 while in the Department of Dermatology at Northwestern University, where she carried out her PhD research thesis as well as additional fellowship research projects. She earned her PhD in Preclinical and Clinical Pharmacology (formerly dermatopharmacology) in 2011. She completed a 3 years post-doc clinical fellowship in the Department of Dermatology at Northwestern University. Dr Nardone is currently appointed as Research Assistant Professor at Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Chicago.

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