Noninvasive imaging and analysis of skin lesions for early detection of cutaneous malignant melanoma

Knowledge of the depth of invasion and three-dimensional (3D) characteristics of skin lesions is crucial to the early diagnosis and prognosis of malignant melanoma. These parameters are currently available only after biopsy. A clinical prototype of an optical imaging instrument, called a nevoscope, has been developed to noninvasively image skin lesions. The nevoscope provides multiple views of a transilluminated skin lesion. These views provide a three-dimensional perception of the lesion. In addition, image-analysis techniques are applied to these images to quantify various diagnostic parameters, such as 3D geometric features and surface texture and pigmentation characteristics. Clinical trials are under way to evaluate the utility of the nevoscope as a diagnostic tool for early detection of melanoma. The construction of the clinical prototype and the integrated clinical imaging environment are described. The development of iterative reconstruction techniques suitable for nevoscopy data is also described. Experimental reconstructions of a physical tissue-like phantom and an in-vivo lesion are presented. The phantom is recovered effectively. Thus, nevoscopy is of potential diagnostic value.