Abstract
Background/Objectives: Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a non-invasive method of imaging human skin in vivo. The purpose of this study was to observe the experience of using RCM on equivocal skin lesions in a tertiary clinical setting in Queensland. Methods: Fifty equivocal lesions on 42 patients were imaged using a reflectance confocal microscope immediately prior to being excised. The images were then analysed blind to the histopathological diagnosis. The experience and problems encountered when using RCM on skin lesions for the first time was also observed. Results: On RCM analysis 12/13 melanomas (92.3% sensitivity, 75% specificity), 19/22 benign naevi (86% sensitivity, 95% specificity), 6/9 basal cell carcinomas (66.7% sensitivity, 100% specificity)and 6/6 squamous cell carcinomas and its precursors (100% sensitivity, 75% specificity) were diagnosed correctly when using histology as the gold standard. We identified three common problems that affected image quality: object artefacts; positioning artefacts; and movement artefacts. Conclusions: Using simple techniques we found that common RCM features were readily identifiable and common artefacts could be minimized, making RCM a useful tool to aid the diagnosis of equivocal skin lesions in a clinical setting.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 89-97 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Australasian Journal of Dermatology |
| Volume | 52 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - May 2011 |
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Keywords
- Artefacts
- Basal cell carcinoma
- Image quality
- In vivo confocal microscopy
- Melanoma
- Naevi
- RCM
- Reflectance confocal microscopy
- Squamous cell carcinoma
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Dermatology
Cite this
First experiences using reflectance confocal microscopy on equivocal skin lesions in Queensland. / Curchin, Claudia E S; Wurm, Elisabeth M T; Lambie, Duncan L J; Longo, Caterina; Pellacani, Giovanni; Soyer, H. Peter.
In: Australasian Journal of Dermatology, Vol. 52, No. 2, 05.2011, p. 89-97.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - First experiences using reflectance confocal microscopy on equivocal skin lesions in Queensland
AU - Curchin, Claudia E S
AU - Wurm, Elisabeth M T
AU - Lambie, Duncan L J
AU - Longo, Caterina
AU - Pellacani, Giovanni
AU - Soyer, H. Peter
PY - 2011/5
Y1 - 2011/5
N2 - Background/Objectives: Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a non-invasive method of imaging human skin in vivo. The purpose of this study was to observe the experience of using RCM on equivocal skin lesions in a tertiary clinical setting in Queensland. Methods: Fifty equivocal lesions on 42 patients were imaged using a reflectance confocal microscope immediately prior to being excised. The images were then analysed blind to the histopathological diagnosis. The experience and problems encountered when using RCM on skin lesions for the first time was also observed. Results: On RCM analysis 12/13 melanomas (92.3% sensitivity, 75% specificity), 19/22 benign naevi (86% sensitivity, 95% specificity), 6/9 basal cell carcinomas (66.7% sensitivity, 100% specificity)and 6/6 squamous cell carcinomas and its precursors (100% sensitivity, 75% specificity) were diagnosed correctly when using histology as the gold standard. We identified three common problems that affected image quality: object artefacts; positioning artefacts; and movement artefacts. Conclusions: Using simple techniques we found that common RCM features were readily identifiable and common artefacts could be minimized, making RCM a useful tool to aid the diagnosis of equivocal skin lesions in a clinical setting.
AB - Background/Objectives: Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a non-invasive method of imaging human skin in vivo. The purpose of this study was to observe the experience of using RCM on equivocal skin lesions in a tertiary clinical setting in Queensland. Methods: Fifty equivocal lesions on 42 patients were imaged using a reflectance confocal microscope immediately prior to being excised. The images were then analysed blind to the histopathological diagnosis. The experience and problems encountered when using RCM on skin lesions for the first time was also observed. Results: On RCM analysis 12/13 melanomas (92.3% sensitivity, 75% specificity), 19/22 benign naevi (86% sensitivity, 95% specificity), 6/9 basal cell carcinomas (66.7% sensitivity, 100% specificity)and 6/6 squamous cell carcinomas and its precursors (100% sensitivity, 75% specificity) were diagnosed correctly when using histology as the gold standard. We identified three common problems that affected image quality: object artefacts; positioning artefacts; and movement artefacts. Conclusions: Using simple techniques we found that common RCM features were readily identifiable and common artefacts could be minimized, making RCM a useful tool to aid the diagnosis of equivocal skin lesions in a clinical setting.
KW - Artefacts
KW - Basal cell carcinoma
KW - Image quality
KW - In vivo confocal microscopy
KW - Melanoma
KW - Naevi
KW - RCM
KW - Reflectance confocal microscopy
KW - Squamous cell carcinoma
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79958232065&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=79958232065&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1440-0960.2011.00756.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1440-0960.2011.00756.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 21605091
AN - SCOPUS:79958232065
VL - 52
SP - 89
EP - 97
JO - Australasian Journal of Dermatology
JF - Australasian Journal of Dermatology
SN - 0004-8380
IS - 2
ER -