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In part 1 of Total Body Photography: The Latest Tools, we discussed how full body imaging is an area of growing interest for dermatologists and skin cancer specialists alike, as it provides valuable support towards the continued imaging of high-risk patients. However, it was also agreed that the process is not without its flaws. Part 2 of this article looks to discuss how tools can be used to provide solutions to concerns such as consistent medical imaging for multiple patient visits, and tools to support and simplify the process of identifying of any new or changing spots.
The primary demographic of total body photography users are those who have a history of skin cancer, or an increased risk to developing the condition (such as those with large amounts of spots).1 In order to ensure the continued health of these patients, the majority of them will be expected to receive regular skin checks based on their potential vulnerability of developing melanoma or other types of skin cancer. Therefore, in addition to enhancing the imaging process, full body imaging software must account for the ability to identify changes to moles/lesions over time between patient visits.
MoleMatch
A typical visit involves a doctor locating a patient’s file, capturing new images in a similar pose to previous sessions, and comparing the images to identify any new or atypical formations in the spots. Unfortunately, this method can be time consuming and challenging for the physician to spot visual changes alone. Despite the fact that the dermatologist has access to valuable data about the patient’s skin health and history- which could be potentially life-saving, the professional does not have the tools to properly process the data.
DermEngine's MoleMatch feature identifies new or changing spots in images captured at different imaging sessions. This is essential for noticing changes in the early stages to maximize positive health outcomes while supporting experts in the identification of changes to the skin. Although intelligent dermatology software such as this does not replace medical professionals, it is a valuable tool for assisting them in the arduous process of identifying important changes to the patient’s skin- essential for supporting the early detection of skin cancer, and other skin conditions in their initial stages to promote optimized health outcomes.
When capturing and analyzing full body images, there may be scenarios where the dermatologist requires a dermoscopic view of a mole/lesion for more detailed analysis. Seeing that a dermoscope increases diagnostic accuracy by as much as 30%, it is essential that total body photography software allows for the addition of dermatoscopic images to full body image sets.2
In addition to providing MoleMap and MoleMatch features powered by artificial intelligence, DermEngine can work seamlessly with a digital dermoscope. Using this software in unison with a dermatoscope, such as MoleScope II, dermatologists can capture high quality full body images of their patients in minutes, where they can be mapped to a personal 3D Body Map and later run against intelligent algorithms for abnormal changes to the skin.
In scenarios where spots need further review, the medical professional can select the spot on the body map and add high quality, detailed dermatoscopic images for a more comprehensive view of the skin in a centralized platform to streamline workflows and further save time.
Final ThoughtsFull body photography is an important step towards enhanced professional skin examinations, and is a valuable tool designed to work alongside traditional dermatoscopy. Although the software offers clear benefits, this investigation demonstrates the necessity of additional tools to enhance the imaging process and ensure the highest quality of skin checks. Only two examples of these tools discussed were MoleMap and MoleMatch, which utilizes intelligent algorithms to identify spots along with any changes to ensure optimized patient results, while allowing medical professionals to focus on their patients- not the process.
-The MetaOptima Team