Analysis of pigmented skin lesions and malignant melanoma by Laser Doppler flowmetry - Report of different cases and further analysis by a neuronal network.

BACKGROUND:Dermatoscopy is successfully used for the early diagnosis of suspicious skin lesions, however, correct diagnosis depends on training. There is evidence that wavelet analysis by Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) can identify malignant melanomas by their hypervascularization and changes in the capillary morphology. OBJECTIVE:To show the capability of LDF in the distinction of melanomas and benign pigmented skin lesions based on data collected over 16 years. METHODS:Evaluation of pigmented skin lesions was based on clinical information. The LDF measurements were taken. The suspect lesion was excised afterwards for histological work-up. Four case reports are presented. Data collected over 16 years was processed into a neuronal network to estimate the dignity of the lesion. RESULTS:A total of 517 suspicious lesions were analyzed by LDF. In the histological work-up, 114 lesions turned out to be melanomas, whereas 403 benign naevi were secured. Specificity to detect melanomas was good based on the clinical information. The LDF increases the sensitivity of melanoma detection, which is also illustrated in four case reports. CONCLUSION:In addition to clinical parameters, such as color and border, information from the LDF can help in the diagnosis of malignant melanomas. The LDF provides information on the vascularization of the skin lesion.