Performance of a deep neural network in teledermatology: a single-centre prospective diagnostic study.

BACKGROUND: The use of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for the diagnosis of skin diseases has shown promise in experimental settings but has not been yet tested in real-life conditions. OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic performance and potential clinical utility of a 174-multiclass AI algorithm in a real-life telemedicine setting. METHODS: Prospective, diagnostic accuracy study including consecutive patients who submitted images for teledermatology evaluation. The treating dermatologist chose a single image to upload to a web application during teleconsultation. A follow-up reader study including nine healthcare providers (3 dermatologists, 3 dermatology residents and 3 general practitioners) was performed. RESULTS: A total of 340 cases from 281 patients met study inclusion criteria. The mean (SD) age of patients was 33.7 (17.5) years; 63% (n = 177) were female. Exposure to the AI algorithm results was considered useful in 11.8% of visits (n = 40) and the teledermatologist correctly modified the real-time diagnosis in 0.6% (n = 2) of cases. The overall top-1 accuracy of the algorithm (41.2%) was lower than that of the dermatologists (60.1%), residents (57.8%) and general practitioners (49.3%) (all comparisons P < 0.05, in the reader study). When the analysis was limited to the diagnoses on which the algorithm had been explicitly trained, the balanced top-1 accuracy of the algorithm (47.6%) was comparable to the dermatologists (49.7%) and residents (47.7%) but superior to the general practitioners (39.7%; P = 0.049). Algorithm performance was associated with patient skin type and image quality. CONCLUSIONS: A 174-disease class AI algorithm appears to be a promising tool in the triage and evaluation of lesions with patient-taken photographs via telemedicine.

Efectividad de la terapia fotodinámica con ácido 5-aminolevulínico en el tratamiento de la hidrosadenitis supurativa. Serie de 5 casos / Effectiveness of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid Photodynamic Therapy in the Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Report of 5 Cases

La hidrosadenitis supurativa (HAS) se ha definido como una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica, recurrente y debilitante, que compromete todo el folículo piloso. Varias alternativas terapéuticas, incluida la terapia fotodinámica, han sido utilizadas, con resultados variables y altas tasas de recurrencia. El presente trabajo muestra la evaluación de severidad, calidad de vida y seguridad de una serie prospectiva de 5 pacientes con HAS moderada o severa, sometidos a terapia fotodinámica, utilizando ácido 5-aminolevulínico (ALA) y luz 635 nm. Se evaluó la efectividad del tratamiento con el score de severidad de Sartorious, índice de calidad de vida (DLQI) y una escala visual analógica (EVA) para dolor y actividad de la enfermedad. Los pacientes mostraron una mejoría significativa en las 3 variables estudiadas, con efectos visibles que se mantenían a las 8 semanas, sugiriendo que esta terapia podría ser efectiva en HAS refractaria a terapias convencionales, disminuyendo la gravedad y mejorando la calidad de vida de los pacientes

Hidradenitis suppurativa has been described as a chronic, recurrent, and disabling inflammatory disease involving the entire hair follicle. Several treatments, including photodynamic therapy, have been used, but the results have been inconsistent and recurrence is high. In this prospective study, we evaluated disease severity, quality of life, and treatment tolerance in 5 patients with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa treated with photodynamic therapy using 5-aminolevulinic acid and a 635-nm light source. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated using the Sartorius severity score, the Dermatology Life Quality Index, and a visual analog scale for pain and disease activity. Significant improvements were observed with all 3 instruments and the effects remained visible at 8 weeks. Our results suggest that photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolevulinic acid and a light wavelength of 635 nm could reduce disease severity and improve quality of life in patients with difficult-to-treat hidradenitis suppurativa

Effectiveness of 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy in the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa: a report of 5 cases.

Hidradenitis suppurativa has been described as a chronic, recurrent, and disabling inflammatory disease involving the entire hair follicle. Several treatments, including photodynamic therapy, have been used, but the results have been inconsistent and recurrence is high. In this prospective study, we evaluated disease severity, quality of life, and treatment tolerance in 5 patients with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa treated with photodynamic therapy using 5-aminolevulinic acid and a 635-nm light source. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated using the Sartorius severity score, the Dermatology Life Quality Index, and a visual analog scale for pain and disease activity. Significant improvements were observed with all 3 instruments and the effects remained visible at 8 weeks. Our results suggest that photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolevulinic acid and a light wavelength of 635 nm could reduce disease severity and improve quality of life in patients with difficult-to-treat hidradenitis suppurativa.