Reflectance confocal microscopy terminology for nonmelanocytic skin lesions: A Delphi consensus of experts Journal Article
| Authors: | Navarrete-Dechent, C.; Longo, C.; Liopyris, K.; Ardigo, M.; Ahlgrimm-Siess, V.; Bahadoran, P.; Carrera, C.; Tavoloni Braga, J. C.; Chen, C. S. J.; Correa, L.; de Carvahlo, N.; Durkin, J.; Farnetani, F.; Grant-Kels, J. M.; Gill, M.; Gonzalez, S.; Hartmann, D.; Hoffman-Wellenhof, R.; Huho, A.; Ludzik, J.; Malvehy, J.; Marghoob, A. A.; Moscarella, E.; Oliviero, M.; Puig, S.; Rabinovitz, H.; Rao, B.; Rezze, G. G.; Rossi, A. M.; Rubinstein, G.; Ruini, C.; Sattler, E.; Soyer, H. P.; Schwartz, R.; Thng, S.; Ulrich, M.; Witkowski, A.; Dusza, S. W.; Guitera, P.; Pellacani, G.; Scope, A.; Jain, M. |
| Article Title: | Reflectance confocal microscopy terminology for nonmelanocytic skin lesions: A Delphi consensus of experts |
| Abstract: | Background: There is lack of uniformity in reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) terminology. Objective: To establish expert consensus on a standardized set of RCM terms that describe non-melanocytic lesions (NMLs). Methods: We invited RCM experts to participate in a Delphi-consensus study. Fifty-nine RCM descriptors were extracted from a previous systematic review on RCM terminology for describing NML. Of these, 35 items were presented as 4 groups of synonymous terms and 24 items as single, nonsynonymous terms. For the first round, an agreement threshold was set at >70%. Participants could also propose new terms. Terms with ≤70% agreement and newly proposed terms were carried over to the next round. For subsequent rounds, agreement threshold was set at >50%. Results: The study was conducted between June 2021 and May 2023. Forty-two of 44 (95%) invited experts participated. Three iterative Delphi rounds were completed, resulting in a consensus list of 36 terms, including 32 synonymous and 4 nonsynonymous terms for describing NML. Limitations: Only experts were included. We did not evaluate definitions of terms in the study. Conclusions: We propose a simplified list of RCM terms, vetted by RCM experts, for describing and diagnosing NML. Uniform terminology could benefit clinical practice, research, and education. © 2025 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. |
| Keywords: | squamous cell carcinoma; reflectance confocal microscopy; actinic keratosis; basal cell carcinoma; seborrheic keratosis; bowen's disease; noninvasive; delphi; solar lentigo |
| Journal Title: | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology |
| Volume: | 93 |
| Issue: | 3 |
| ISSN: | 0190-9622 |
| Publisher: | Mosby Elsevier |
| Publication status: | Published |
| Date Published: | 2025-09-01 |
| Online Publication Date: | 2025-05-12 |
| Start Page: | 663 |
| End Page: | 670 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.jaad.2025.05.1362 |
| PUBMED: | 40368182 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | The MSK Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA008748) is acknowledged in the PDF. Corresponding MSK author is Manu Jain -- Source: Scopus |
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