An Automated Dermoscopy Image Analysis Instrument for the Diagnosis of Primary Melanoma

Results: The melanocytic-only diagnostic model was highly reproducible in the test set and gave a sensitivity of 91% (95% confidence interval [CI], 86%-96%) and specificity of 68% (95% CI, 64%-72%) for melanoma. SolarScan had comparable or superior sensitivity and specificity (85% vs 65%) compared with those of experts (90% vs 59%), dermatologists (81% vs 60%), trainees(85%vs36%;P=.06),andgeneralpractitioners(62% vs 63%). The intraclass correlation coefficient of intrainstrument repeatability was 0.86 (95% CI, 0.83-0.88), indicating an excellent repeatability. There was no significant interinstrument variation (P=.80). Conclusions: SolarScan is a robust diagnostic instrument for pigmented or partially pigmented melanocytic lesions of the skin. Preliminary data suggest that its performance is comparable or superior to that of a range of cliniciangroups.However,thesefindingsshouldbeconfirmed in a formal clinical trial. Arch Dermatol. 2005;141:1388-1396