The Additive Value of 3D Total Body Imaging for Sequential Monitoring of Skin Lesions: A Case Series

Background: Timely diagnosis is the cornerstone of melanoma morbidity and mortality reduction. 2D total body photography and dermoscopy are routinely used to assist with early detection of skin malignancies. Polarized 3D total body photography is a novel technique that enables fast image acquisition of almost the entire skin surface. We aimed to determine the added value of 3D total body photography alongside dermoscopy for monitoring cutaneous lesions.

Methods: Lesion images from high-risk individuals were assessed for long-term substantial changes via dermoscopy and 3D total body photography. Three case studies are presented demonstrating how 3D total body photography may enhance lesion analysis alongside traditional dermoscopy.

Results: 3D total body photography can assist clinicians by presenting cutaneous lesions in their skin ecosystem, thereby providing additional clinical context and enabling a more holistic assessment to aid dermoscopy interpretation. For lesion cases where previous dermoscopy is unavailable, corresponding 3D images can substitute for baseline dermoscopy. Additionally, 3D total body photography is not susceptible to artificial stretch artefacts.

Conclusion: 3D total body photography is valuable alongside dermoscopy for monitoring cutaneous lesions. Furthermore, it is capable of surveilling almost the entire skin surface, including areas not traditionally monitored by sequential imaging.