Differences in dermoscopic images from nonpolarized dermoscope and polarized dermoscope influence the diagnostic accuracy and confidence level: A pilot study Journal Article


Authors: Wang, S. Q.; Dusza, S. W.; Scope, A.; Braun, R. P.; Kopf, A. W.; Marghoob, A. A.
Article Title: Differences in dermoscopic images from nonpolarized dermoscope and polarized dermoscope influence the diagnostic accuracy and confidence level: A pilot study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Studies have demonstrated differences in colors and dermoscopic structures observed with polarized dermoscopes (PDs) and nonpolarized dermoscopes (NPDs). OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate whether diagnosis and diagnostic confidence changes when viewing dermoscopic images from NPDs and PDs. METHODS: A total of 100 dermatologists participated in the study. Twenty-five pigmented lesions were shown in the study, consisting of 7 seborrheic keratoses (SK), 3 basal cell carcinomas, 2 atypical nevi, 5 malignant melanomas (MM), 3 dermatofibromas, 3 blue nevi, and 2 hemangiomas. Two images of each lesion (one NPD and one PD) were included. The McNemar test and paired t-test were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Ninety-one participants completed the study. Significant differences in the diagnoses were observed for the SK, atypical nevus, and MM images. Seventy-five percent and 59% of the final participants correctly diagnosed SK when presented with the NPD and PD images, respectively. For MM, 23 and 34% made the correct diagnoses with the NPD and PD images, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Viewing lesions with NPD versus PD can affect the diagnosis and diagnostic confidence of physicians that are novices with dermoscopy. Further studies including physicians at different expertise levels and a larger sample of lesions are needed to further explore the differences. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters. © 2008 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc.
Keywords: controlled study; major clinical study; diagnostic accuracy; melanoma; dermoscopy; basal cell carcinoma; skin neoplasms; epiluminescence microscopy; pilot projects; seborrheic keratosis; pigmentation disorders; dysplastic nevus; dermatofibroma; skin diseases; hemangioma; microscopy, polarization; blue nevus; microscope; dermoscope
Journal Title: Dermatologic Surgery
Volume: 34
Issue: 10
ISSN: 1076-0512
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins  
Date Published: 2008-10-01
Start Page: 1389
End Page: 1395
Language: English
DOI: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2008.34293.x
PUBMED: 18637816
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 8" - "Export Date: 17 November 2011" - "CODEN: DESUF" - "Source: Scopus"
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MSK Authors
  1. Steven Q Wang
    78 Wang
  2. Stephen Dusza
    288 Dusza
  3. Alon Scope
    125 Scope
  4. Ashfaq A Marghoob
    534 Marghoob