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Technology and Technique Standards for Camera-Acquired Digital Dermatologic Images: A Systematic Review
Elizabeth A Quigley1, Barbara A Tokay1, Sarah T Jewell2
1Dermatology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.
JAMA Dermatology
|May 14, 2015
Summary
No universal standards exist for dermatologic photography, impacting image quality and exchange. Development of technology and technique standards is needed, potentially emerging from specific clinical applications.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Medical Imaging
- Digital Health
Background:
- Photographs are crucial for dermatology diagnostics, management, research, and documentation.
- Existing Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standards do not cover camera-acquired dermatologic images.
- Lack of standardized imaging protocols leads to variable image quality and limited data exchange.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and describe existing or proposed technology and technique standards for camera-acquired dermatologic images.
- To inform the development of future standardized protocols in dermatologic imaging.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature searches of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases.
- Augmented by a gray literature search of 14 websites.
- Screening of 7371 unique publications, with 49 selected for detailed review.
Main Results:
- No universally accepted technology or technique standards for dermatologic photography were identified.
- Recommendations cover technology standards (resolution, calibration, compression, archiving) and technique standards (lighting, patient positioning, consent).
- Proposed standards for total body photography, teledermatology, and dermoscopy were described.
Conclusions:
- Universal imaging standards for dermatology have not been developed, validated, or adopted.
- Dermatologic imaging quality and exchangeability are limited by the absence of defined standards.
- Standardization efforts may gain traction in use cases with clear clinical benefits.
