The diagnostic accuracy of the mobile phone teledermatoscopy

Abstract

The positive predictive value (PPV) of smart mobile phone teledermatoscopy is not known. The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the sensitivity and positive predictive values (PPVs) of smart mobile phone teledermatoscopy. Over a period of 6 months, up to three clinical and dermatoscopic images were obtained of 67 skin lesions from 67 patients using a mobile phone camera and standard pocket dermatoscopy device. Out of the 67 patients, 44 were men (65.67%) and 23 were women (34.32%). The mean age of the patients was 39.56 ± 22.19 years (ranging from 18 to 92). The majority of the lesions (71.64%; n=48) were benign, while 11.94% (n=8) of the biopsies were premalignant and 16.41% (n=11) of the lesions were malignant. The sensitivity for the diagnosis of benign, premalignant, and malignant lesions were 93.8%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. PPVs for the diagnosis of benign, premalignant, and malignant lesions were 93.8%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. The sensitivity and PPVs of all lesions were 95.9% and 95.7%. The accuracy of the teledermatoscopic consultation with a mobile phone is very high. We therefore think that it can be a cost effective and useful method in the consultation at distance.