The calculator in question is the Revised 7-point Dermoscopy Checklist for Melanoma. This clinical tool is used in the dermatological field, specifically for patients who present with suspicious skin lesions that may be indicative of melanoma. The checklist is designed to aid clinicians in the early detection of melanoma by assessing seven key dermoscopic features of skin lesions. These features include atypical pigment network, blue-whitish veil, atypical vascular pattern, irregular streaks, irregular pigmentation, irregular dots/globules, and regression structures.
The clinical utility of this calculator is to provide a systematic approach to evaluate skin lesions and to determine the likelihood of the lesion being a melanoma. It helps in stratifying the risk and guiding further management, including the decision for biopsy or excision.
The Revised 7-point Dermoscopy Checklist for Melanoma is not recommended for use in patients with known melanoma or in those with non-pigmented skin lesions, as the features assessed in the checklist are specific to pigmented lesions. It should also be used with caution in patients with multiple atypical moles or a personal or family history of melanoma, as these patients may require a more comprehensive evaluation.
Reference
G Argenziano, C Catricalà, M Ardigo et al. Seven-point checklist of dermoscopy revisited. Br J Dermatol. 2011 Apr;164(4):785-90.
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