An international 3-center training and reading study to assess basal cell carcinoma surgical margins with ex vivo fluorescence confocal microscopy Journal Article


Authors: Kose, K.; Fox, C. A.; Rossi, A.; Jain, M.; Cordova, M.; Dusza, S. W.; Ragazzi, M.; Gardini, S.; Moscarella, E.; Diaz, A.; Pigem, R.; Gonzalez, S.; Bennassar, A.; Carrera, C.; Longo, C.; Rajadhyaksha, M.; Nehal, K. S.
Article Title: An international 3-center training and reading study to assess basal cell carcinoma surgical margins with ex vivo fluorescence confocal microscopy
Abstract: Background: Novel solutions are needed for expediting margin assessment to guide basal cell carcinoma (BCC) surgeries. Ex vivo fluorescence confocal microscopy (FCM) is starting to be used in freshly excised surgical specimens to examine BCC margins in real time. Training and educational process are needed for this novel technology to be implemented into clinic. Objective: To test a training and reading process, and measure diagnostic accuracy of clinicians with varying expertise level in reading ex vivo FCM images. Methods: An international three-center study was designed for training and reading to assess BCC surgical margins and residual subtypes. Each center included a lead dermatologic/Mohs surgeon (clinical developer of FCM) and three additional readers (dermatologist, dermatopathologist, dermatologic/Mohs surgeon), who use confocal in clinical practice. Testing was conducted on 30 samples. Results: Overall, the readers achieved 90% average sensitivity, 78% average specificity in detecting residual BCC margins, showing high and consistent diagnostic reading accuracy. Those with expertise in dermatologic surgery and dermatopathology showed the strongest potential for learning to assess FCM images. Limitations: Small dataset, variability in mosaic quality between centers. Conclusion: Suggested process is feasible and effective. This process is proposed for wider implementation to facilitate wider adoption of FCM to potentially expedite BCC margin assessment to guide surgery in real time. © 2021 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Keywords: basal cell carcinoma; surgical excision; fluorescence confocal microscopy; fresh tissue imaging; rapid margin mapping
Journal Title: Journal of Cutaneous Pathology
Volume: 48
Issue: 8
ISSN: 0303-6987
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons  
Date Published: 2021-08-01
Start Page: 1010
End Page: 1019
Language: English
DOI: 10.1111/cup.13980
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC8273084
PUBMED: 33576022
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 2 August 2021 -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Kishwer S Nehal
    278 Nehal
  2. Stephen Dusza
    288 Dusza
  3. Anthony Rossi
    233 Rossi
  4. Kivanc Kose
    81 Kose
  5. Miguel A Cordova
    88 Cordova
  6. Manu   Jain
    76 Jain