title: Clinical pearl: the evaluation of the surface area of small pigmented lesions.
abstract: The ability to calculate the surface area of small pigmented lesions is an important assessment tool, especially if one is suspicious for malignancy. Calculation of the surface area can be an arduous task if one does not have a standard technique. This article is in regards to the inexpensive and relatively easy technique of calculating the surface area of small pigmented lesions. This technique is a unique method, not described in the literature before, and may be utilized by any dermatologist at any level of experience. Our method is presented because the calculation of small pigmented lesions is an important tool to utilize, especially in cases of skin carcinoma. This technique can also be modified to calculate the surface area of much larger lesions and therefore may have a broad clinical application in the field of dermatology and cutaneous surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA.
authors.forename: Asha R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Voraphol
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vejjabhinanta
authors.forename: Keyvan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nouri
mesh_terms: D003880:Dermatology / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*