Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Teledermoscopy

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Teledermatology

Part of the book series: Updates in Clinical Dermatology ((UCD))

  • 224 Accesses

Abstract

Teledermoscopy is novel for the diagnosis and management of skin disease when direct, in-person assessment is limited by logistical, geographical, or resource-limiting constraints. Teledermoscopy has been shown to be effective in the diagnosis of pigmented and nonpigmented lesions, with diagnostic accuracy comparable to that of face-to-face (FTF) diagnosis. Inclusion of clinical and dermoscopic images improves the diagnostic accuracy of teledermatology services thereby reducing unnecessary specialist referrals and costly treatments, time to intervention or management, and overall healthcare costs. Mobile teledermoscopy, particularly, is an economically viable option for patients, as inexpensive mobile dermatoscopes have emerged on the market to reduce consumer out-of-pocket costs. Nonetheless, teledermoscopy is limited in special settings, such as skin cancer screening and the diagnosis of complex lesions in high-risk patients. Further research is recommended to investigate the role of dermoscopic expertise on the accuracy of telediagnosis and artificial intelligence on the evaluation of teledermoscopic images.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Chen X, Lu Q, Chen C, Jiang G. Recent developments in dermoscopy for dermatology. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2021;20(6):1611–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Bandic J, Kovacevic S, Karabeg R, Lazarov A, Opric D. Teledermoscopy for skin cancer prevention: a comparative study of clinical and teledermoscopic diagnosis. Acta Inform Med. 2020;28(1):37–41.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  3. Piccolo D, Smolle J, Wolf IH, Peris K, Hofmann-Wellenhof R, Dell’Eva G, et al. Face-to-face diagnosis vs telediagnosis of pigmented skin tumors: a teledermoscopic study. Arch Dermatol. 1999;135(12):1467–71.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Lee KJ, Finnane A, Soyer HP. Recent trends in teledermatology and teledermoscopy. Dermatol Pract Concept. 2018;8(3):214–23.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  5. Uppal SK, Beer J, Hadeler E, Gitlow H, Nouri K. The clinical utility of teledermoscopy in the era of telemedicine. Dermatol Ther. 2021;34(2):e14766.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Bleicher B, Levine A, Markowitz O. Going digital with dermoscopy. Cutis. 2018;102(2):102–5.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Lee Katie J, Soyer HP. Future developments in teledermoscopy and total body photography. Int J Dermatol Venereol. 2019;02(01):15–8.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Kittler H, Guitera P, Riedl E, Avramidis M, Teban L, Fiebiger M, et al. Identification of clinically featureless incipient melanoma using sequential dermoscopy imaging. Arch Dermatol. 2006;142(9):1113–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Tschandl P. Sequential digital dermatoscopic imaging of patients with multiple atypical nevi. Dermatol Pract Concept. 2018;8(3):231–7.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  10. Adler NR, Kelly JW, Guitera P, Menzies SW, Chamberlain AJ, Fishburn P, et al. Methods of melanoma detection and of skin monitoring for individuals at high risk of melanoma: new Australian clinical practice. Med J Aust. 2019;210(1):41–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Esteva A, Kuprel B, Novoa RA, Ko J, Swetter SM, Blau HM, et al. Dermatologist-level classification of skin cancer with deep neural networks. Nature. 2017;542(7639):115–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  12. Park AJ, Ko JM, Swerlick RA. Crowdsourcing dermatology: DataDerm, big data analytics, and machine learning technology. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018;78(3):643–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Marchetti MA, Codella NCF, Dusza SW, Gutman DA, Helba B, Kalloo A, et al. Results of the 2016 international skin imaging collaboration international symposium on biomedical imaging challenge: comparison of the accuracy of computer algorithms to dermatologists for the diagnosis of melanoma from dermoscopic images. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018;78(2):270–7.e1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Marchetti MA, Liopyris K, Dusza SW, Codella NCF, Gutman DA, Helba B, et al. Computer algorithms show potential for improving dermatologists’ accuracy to diagnose cutaneous melanoma: results of the international skin imaging collaboration 2017. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;82(3):622–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Veronese F, Branciforti F, Zavattaro E, Tarantino V, Romano V, Meiburger KM, et al. The role in teledermoscopy of an inexpensive and easy-to-use smartphone device for the classification of three types of skin lesions using convolutional neural networks. Diagnostics (Basel). 2021;11(3):451.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Lee JJ, English JC. Teledermatology: a review and update. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2018;19(2):253–60.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Carter ZA, Goldman S, Anderson K, Li X, Hynan LS, Chong BF, et al. Creation of an internal teledermatology store-and-forward system in an existing electronic health record: a pilot study in a safety-net public health and hospital system. JAMA Dermatol. 2017;153(7):644–50.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  18. Kazi R, Evankovich MR, Liu R, Liu A, Moorhead A, Ferris LK, et al. Utilization of asynchronous and synchronous teledermatology in a large health care system during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telemed J E Health. 2020;27(7):771–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Yim KM, Florek AG, Oh DH, McKoy K, Armstrong AW. Teledermatology in the United States: an update in a dynamic era. Telemed J E Health. 2018;24(9):691–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Singh SR, Meka AP, Nguyen G, Tejasvi T. Teledermoscopy for teledermatology. Curr Dermatol Rep. 2016;5(2):71–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Barcaui CB, Lima PMO. Application of teledermoscopy in the diagnosis of pigmented lesions. Int J Telemed Appl. 2018;2018:1624073.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  22. McCrary MR, Rogers T, Yeung H, Krueger L, Chen SC. Abstract PO-042: would dermoscopic photographs help triage teledermatology consults in the COVID-19 era? Clin Cancer Res. 2020;26(18 Suppl):PO-042.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Lee KJ, Soyer HP. Future developments in teledermoscopy and total body photography. Int J Dermatol Venereol. 2019;2(1):15–8.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Naka F, Lu J, Porto A, Villagra J, Wu ZH, Anderson D. Impact of dermatology eConsults on access to care and skin cancer screening in underserved populations: a model for teledermatology services in community health centers. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018;78(2):293–302.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Lowe A, Atwan A, Mills C. Teledermoscopy as a community based diagnostic test in the era of COVID-19? Clin Exp Dermatol. 2021;46(1):173–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  26. Arzberger E, Curiel-Lewandrowski C, Blum A, Chubisov D, Oakley A, Rademaker M, et al. Teledermoscopy in high-risk melanoma patients: a comparative study of face-to-face and teledermatology visits. Acta Derm Venereol. 2016;96(6):779–83.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Dahlén Gyllencreutz J, Paoli J, Bjellerup M, Bucharbajeva Z, Gonzalez H, Nielsen K, et al. Diagnostic agreement and interobserver concordance with teledermoscopy referrals. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2017;31(5):898–903.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Kroemer S, Fruehauf J, Campbell TM, Massone C, Schwantzer G, Soyer P, et al. Mobile teledermatology for skin tumour screening: diagnostic accuracy of clinical and dermoscopic image tele-evaluation using cellular phones. Br J Dermatol. 2011;164:973–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Tan E, Yung A, Jameson M, Oakley A, Rademaker M. Successful triage of patients referred to a skin lesion clinic using teledermoscopy (IMAGE IT trial). Br J Dermatol. 2010;162(4):803–11.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Massone C, Brunasso AM, Campbell TM, Soyer HP. Mobile teledermoscopy--melanoma diagnosis by one click? Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2009;28(3):203–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Börve A, Dahlén Gyllencreutz J, Terstappen K, Johansson Backman E, Aldenbratt A, Danielsson M, et al. Smartphone teledermoscopy referrals: a novel process for improved triage of skin cancer patients. Acta Derm Venereol. 2015;95(2):186–90.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Congalton AT, Oakley AM, Rademaker M, Bramley D, Martin RCW. Successful melanoma triage by a virtual lesion clinic (teledermatoscopy). J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2015;29(12):2423–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Hadeler E, Gitlow H, Nouri K. Definitions, survey methods, and findings of patient satisfaction studies in teledermatology: a systematic review. Arch Dermatol Res. 2021;313(4):205–15.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Tuma B, Yamada S, Atallah ÁN, Araujo FM, Hirata SH. Dermoscopy of black skin: a cross-sectional study of clinical and dermoscopic features of melanocytic lesions in individuals with type V/VI skin compared to those with type I/II skin. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2015;73(1):114–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. de Giorgi V, Trez E, Salvini C, Duquia R, De Villa D, Sestini S, et al. Dermoscopy in black people. Br J Dermatol. 2006;155(4):695–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Zalaudek I, Argenziano G, Mordente I, Moscarella E, Corona R, Sera F, et al. Nevus type in dermoscopy is related to skin type in white persons. Arch Dermatol. 2007;143(3):351–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Hadeler E, Beer J, Uppal S, Nouri K. Identifying areas for improvement in remote skin cancer management: surveillance, diagnostics, and skin of color. J Drugs Dermatol. 2021;20(7):792–3.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. de Giorgi V, Gori A, Savarese I, D’Errico A, Grazzini M, Papi F, et al. Teledermoscopy in doubtful melanocytic lesions: is it really useful? Int J Dermatol. 2016;55(10):1119–23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Fabbrocini G, Balato A, Rescigno O, Mariano M, Scalvenzi M, Brunetti B. Telediagnosis and face-to-face diagnosis reliability for melanocytic and non-melanocytic ‘pink’ lesions. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2008;22(2):229–34.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Janda M, Horsham C, Vagenas D, Loescher LJ, Gillespie N, Koh U, et al. Accuracy of mobile digital teledermoscopy for skin self-examinations in adults at high risk of skin cancer: an open-label, randomised controlled trial. Lancet Digit Health. 2020;2(3):e129–e37.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Rat C, Hild S, Rault Sérandour J, Gaultier A, Quereux G, Dreno B, et al. Use of smartphones for early detection of melanoma: systematic review. J Med Internet Res. 2018;20(4):e135.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  42. Salerni G, Carrera C, Lovatto L, Martí-Laborda RM, Isern G, Palou J, et al. Characterization of 1152 lesions excised over 10 years using total-body photography and digital dermatoscopy in the surveillance of patients at high risk for melanoma. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2012;67(5):836–45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Moloney FJ, Guitera P, Coates E, Haass NK, Ho K, Khoury R, et al. Detection of primary melanoma in individuals at extreme high risk: a prospective 5-year follow-up study. JAMA Dermatol. 2014;150(8):819–27.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Markun S, Scherz N, Rosemann T, Tandjung R, Braun RP. Mobile teledermatology for skin cancer screening: a diagnostic accuracy study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017;96(10):e6278.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Lamel SA, Haldeman KM, Ely H, Kovarik CL, Pak H, Armstrong AW. Application of mobile teledermatology for skin cancer screening. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2012;67(4):576–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Thissen M, Udrea A, Hacking M, von Braunmuehl T, Ruzicka T. mHealth app for risk assessment of pigmented and nonpigmented skin lesions-a study on sensitivity and specificity in detecting malignancy. Telemed J E Health. 2017;23(12):948–54.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Loh CH, Chong Tam SY, Oh CC. Teledermatology in the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review. JAAD Int. 2021;5:54–64.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, USA

    Shelley K. Uppal

Authors
  1. Shelley K. Uppal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Joseph C English III

Ethics declarations

Dr. Uppal has no conflict of interest to declare.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Uppal, S.K. (2023). Teledermoscopy. In: English III, J.C. (eds) Teledermatology. Updates in Clinical Dermatology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-27276-9_16

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-27276-9_16

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-27275-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-27276-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation