title: Polarization color imaging system for on-line quantitative evaluation of facial skin lesions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A number of studies have been performed for accurate evaluation of chromophores in skin lesions. Qualitative methods are subjective and cause user-dependent error in evaluation. Quantitative methods have limitations for widely distributed skin lesions due to poor spatial resolution, potential skin blanching, and difficulty in relocating identical sites for subsequent measurements and analysis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective was to develop a new imaging modality that provides both qualitative and quantitative methods to evaluate widely distributed skin lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  We have developed a prototype polarization color imaging system named "DermaVision," which provides quantitative on-line image analysis of polarization color images. Herein, we describe the hardware and software of DermaVision in terms of its performance and usefulness for dermatologic applications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Polarization color images were successfully acquired from patients with vascular or pigmented skin lesions. The erythema and melanin index images were successfully computed and quantitatively confirmed the degree of erythema and pigmentation in the skin lesions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We believe that DermaVision can be a useful auxiliary tool in dermatology because it simultaneously provides both qualitative and quantitative images of skin lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea.
authors.forename: Heesung
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Byungjo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: J Stuart
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D003124:Colorimetry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004890:Erythema / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis; D005145:Face; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008543:Melanins / Q000032:analysis; D008859:Microscopy, Polarization / Q000379:methods; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012984:Software
chemical_list: D008543:Melanins