Patient Ability to Take Dermoscopic Follow-Up Images of Atypical Melanocytic Lesions With Smartphones: A Pilot Study

• Published in: Dermatology practical & conceptual 2024-10, Vol.14 (4), p.e2024268
• Main Authors: Berglund, Sofia, Paoli, John, Svensson, Petra, Terstappen, Karin, Gillstedt, Martin, Dahlén Gyllencreutz, Johan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: atypical melanocytic lesion; dermoscopy; short-term monitoring; smartphone; Teledermatology
• ISSN: 2160-9381; 2160-9381
• DOI: 10.5826/dpc.1404a268

Introduction: Short-term teledermoscopic monitoring helps to distinguish early melanomas from nevi. As the incidence of melanoma is increasing, there are several benefits of patients taking their own dermoscopic images, but only a few previous studies have investigated the feasibility of this approach. Objectives: We sought to examine patient ability to take evaluable dermoscopic images of atypical melanocytic lesions in need of short-term monitoring. Methods: Patients were asked to take follow-up images in their homes using a borrowed dermoscope and their own smartphone. We investigated if the management decision differed when assessing follow-up images taken by patients compared to follow-up images taken by hospital staff. Lesions were rated as either changed, unchanged, or in need of further monitoring. In addition, image quality and patients’ attitudes towards taking dermoscopic follow-up images were studied. Results: Ninety-five patients with 132 lesions completed the study. Images taken by hospital staff were of better quality than images taken by patients (P