Computer image analysis of pigmented skin lesions

Green, A; Martin, Nicholas G.; McKenzie, Gordon; Pfitzner, J.; Quintarelli, F.; Bw, Thomas; O’Rourke, Michael G. E.; Knight, Ngaire

doi:10.1097/00008390-199111000-00002

Cited by 54 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Counting naevi and consistently differentiating these from freckles and other pigmented lesions is one of the more difficult tasks in melanoma research (Green et al, 1991). Nevertheless, some limited data available indicate that reasonable agreement of naevus counts between and within examiners is possible.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We have shown previously that CIA can broadly discriminate to a certain extent between malignant melanomas, naevi and other benign pigmented lesions, on the basis of their size, colour, shape and boundary definition, with an overall classification accuracy of 71% (Green et al, 1991). However, CIA is currently unable to distinguish naevi and freckles, the two most common types of pigmented lesions among paleskinned adolescents (Coombs et al, 1992).…”

Section: Subjectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Australia, it is currently the second most common cause of cancer death, and its rapidly increasing incidence is expected to overtake that of all other cancers, with the exception of non-melanoma skin cancer, within the next decade (MacLennan et al, 1992). The number of naevi on the body is the strongest known predictor of melanoma risk and, as such, the reliable and accurate measurement of naevus numbers is important for ongoing individual risk assessment, in studies of naevus prevalence between and within populations over time and in aetiological investigations, in which the number of naevi is invariably a potential confounder of other melanoma risk factors (Green & Swerdlow, 1989).Counting naevi and consistently differentiating these from freckles and other pigmented lesions is one of the more difficult tasks in melanoma research (Green et al, 1991). Nevertheless, some limited data available indicate that reasonable agreement of naevus counts between and within examiners is possible.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…To examine the reliability of naevus counts in a population at high risk of melanoma, we assessed inter-and intra-examiner agreement for naevus counts in a sample of 66 12-year-olds attending Brisbane schools. In addition, to assess the relative usefulness of a computer imaging system which recognises pigmented lesions (Green et al, 1991), we compared counts of pigmented lesions on the back assessed by computer image analysis (CIA) with conventional examiner counts of the same site in this sample of adolescents. (IARC, 1990).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Comparability of naevus counts between and within examiners, and comparison with computer image analysis

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Green²,

Eldridge³

et al. 1994

Br J Cancer

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SummaryIn the course of an investigation of melanocytic naevus development in Queensland, Australia, whole-body naevus counts of 66 adolescents were performed separately by two nurse examiners on two occasions on average 4 weeks apart. There was good agreement between the two examiners for counts of total naevi on the whole body (intra-class correlation coefficient = 0.96) and at selected subsites (face, neck, back, upper arms, lower arms). Agreement was lower when raised naevi only were counted (0.83). Intra-examiner repeatability was high for both nurses, particularly for the more experienced examiner (intra-class correlation coefficients = 0.98 and 0.91 for total naevi on the whole body), and was consistently better when all naevi were counted rather than naevi of a particular size. Independent counts of naevi on the back using a computer imaging technique were reproducible (intra-class correlation coefficient = 0.92), but showed only moderate agreement with counts by the nurse examiners. Overall, these results demonstrate high comparability of naevus counts between and within similarly trained examiners. They do not support the common practice in epidemiological studies of restricting counts to naevi larger than 2 mm, or of counting raised naevi only.Melanoma is an increasingly important public health problem in white-skinned populations throughout the world. In Australia, it is currently the second most common cause of cancer death, and its rapidly increasing incidence is expected to overtake that of all other cancers, with the exception of non-melanoma skin cancer, within the next decade (MacLennan et al., 1992). The number of naevi on the body is the strongest known predictor of melanoma risk and, as such, the reliable and accurate measurement of naevus numbers is important for ongoing individual risk assessment, in studies of naevus prevalence between and within populations over time and in aetiological investigations, in which the number of naevi is invariably a potential confounder of other melanoma risk factors (Green & Swerdlow, 1989).Counting naevi and consistently differentiating these from freckles and other pigmented lesions is one of the more difficult tasks in melanoma research (Green et al., 1991). Nevertheless, some limited data available indicate that reasonable agreement of naevus counts between and within examiners is possible. Roush et al. (1991) reported good agreement between examiners' counts of all naevi on the whole body (intra-class correlation coefficient = 0.92) and arm (0.88) of 153 melanoma patients at the Yale Melanoma Unit. Agreement for raised naevi on the arm was considerably lower (0.36) because of differences of opinion about what was considered palpable. In a small study in Canada (Walter et al., 1991), intra-examiner repeatability of naevus counts on the mid-left arm of eight volunteers, measured by the intra-class correlation coefficient, varied from 0.55 to 0.81 for the five examiners, and tended to be highest among those most experienced.Both of these studies were con...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Subjectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comparability of naevus counts between and within examiners, and comparison with computer image analysis

Aitken

Green²,

Eldridge³

et al. 1994

Br J Cancer

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show abstract

“…Malignant melanoma is presently among the leading cancers among the white-skinned population, with rapidly increasing incidence and mortality rates over the last decades [5], [6], [7]. While advanced form of the cutaneous melanoma is still practically incurable, early diagnosis can significantly increase probability of survival.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%