title: Optimized parametric skin modelling for diagnosis of skin abnormalities by combining light back-scatter and laser speckle imaging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Optical and parametric skin imaging methods which can efficiently identify invisible sub-skin features or subtle changes in skin layers are very important for accurate optical skin modelling. In this study, a hybrid method is introduced that helps develop a parametric optical skin model by utilizing interdisciplinary techniques including light back-scatter analysis, laser speckle imaging, image-texture analysis and Bayesian inference methods. The model aims to detect subtle skin changes and hence very early signs of skin abnormalities/diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Light back-scatter and laser speckle image textural analysis are applied onto the normal and abnormal skin regions (lesions) to generate set of attributes/parameters. These are then optimized by Bayesian inference method in order to build an optimized parametric model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The attributes selected by Bayesian inference method in the optimization stage were used to build an optimized model and then successfully verified. It was clearly proven that Bayesian inference based optimization process yields good results to build an optimized skin model.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The outcome of this study clearly shows the applicability of this hybrid method in the analysis of skin features and is therefore expected to lead development of non-invasive and low-cost instrument for early detection of skin changes.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Technology, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK.
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Orun
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Goodyer
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Seker
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Uslan
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chauhan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D003124:Colorimetry / Q000379:methods; D003198:Computer Simulation; D046169:Dermoscopy / Q000379:methods; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated / Q000379:methods*; D010783:Photometry / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Bayesian networks; laser speckle imaging; light back-scatter; optimization; skin model