A novel imaging technique as an adjunct to the in vivo diagnosis of nonmelanoma skin cancer

Br J Dermatol. 2006 Dec;155(6):1177-83. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2006.07513.x.

Abstract

Background: Spectrophotometric intracutaneous analysis (SIAscopy) is a light-based imaging system capable of producing rapid images of melanin, blood and collagen of the skin. Although the SIAscope has been investigated for melanoma diagnosis, no formal study has been conducted to determine its use in the diagnosis of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC).

Objectives: A prospective study was conducted to investigate the potential for the SIAscope to diagnose NMSC.

Methods: In total, 302 consecutive patients were recruited into the study, 363 lesions being scanned. Logistic regression analysis was used to construct a predictive model for NMSC diagnosis and receiver-operator characteristic curves were used to assess overall accuracy of the model.

Results: A sensitivity of 98.0%, specificity of 95.7% and overall accuracy of 98.2% was found for NMSC diagnosis by the SIAscope model.

Conclusions: Results suggest that the SIAscope may be a useful adjunct in the diagnosis of NMSC.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Spectrophotometry / methods