Morphometry in clinical dermatology

Rapid and simple methods are presented which allow the estimation of areas, area fraction and contour lengths in clinical dermatology. They are based on point counting and intercept measurements using simple grids made on transparent film or on overhead foils. Because of their ease of use, these grids allow the determination of the size as well as the irregularity of skin lesions even during daily clinical work. The applications presented here include the area determination of naevi, leg ulcers, wheal and flare reactions and migration areas in lymphocyte and macrophage migration assays. Additionally, the determination of area fraction in psoriasis and sebutape evaluation is described. Other possible applications such as estimation or contour length, and determination of irregularity and estimation of the volume of tumours are discussed.