Colors in atypical nevi: a computer description reproducing clinical assessment.
OBJECTIVE
Atypical nevi (AN) share some dermoscopic features with early melanoma (MM), and computer elaboration of digital images could represent a useful support to diagnosis to assess automatically colors in AN, and to compare the data with those referring to clearly benign nevi (BN) and MMs.


METHODS
An image analysis program enabling the numerical description of color areas in melanocytic lesions was used on 459 videomicroscopic images, referring to 76 AN, 288 clearly BN and 95 MMs.


RESULTS
Black, white and blue-gray were more frequently found in AN than in clearly BN, but less frequently than in MMs. Color area values significantly differed between the three groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical-morphological interpretation of the numerical data, based on the mathematical description of the aspect and distribution of different color areas in different lesion types may contribute to the characterization of AN and their distinction from MMs.
Seidenari
Stefania
S
Department of Dermatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emila, Italy. seidenari.stefania@unimo.it
Pellacani
Giovanni
G
Grana
Costantino
C
D000465:Algorithms; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003124:Colorimetry / Q000379:methods*; D020000:Decision Support Systems, Clinical; D046169:Dermoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005103:Expert Systems; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology*; D009506:Nevus / Q000473:pathology*; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*