Artificial intelligence is helping save lives at leading Abu Dhabi specialty hospital Healthpoint, with doctors now using digital photography to diagnose and treat skin cancer.
The new technology is an innovative skin visualization and analysis tool used to monitor moles, lesions and other blemishes for abnormalities.
“In the Gulf region, strong sunshine and high levels of ultraviolet radiation makes people especially vulnerable to skin cancer, especially if they have fair skin or spend a lot of time outdoors,” said Dr. Hiba Ahmad Ghannam, dermatology specialist at Healthpoint.
“The unprecedented clarity offered by this innovation will help our physicians to detect pathological changes as early as possible, with potentially life-saving consequences.”
The machine documents the whole surface of the body, enabling dermatologists to track individual moles over time. Unlike conventional ‘mole mapping’ systems, it utilizes what is known as the ‘two-step method’ for digital analysis, an approach recommended by key opinion leaders worldwide for monitoring high-risk patients.
Using a process named automated total body mapping, full-body photography is combined with ‘digital dermoscopy’. The computerized equivalent of a powerful magnifying glass, it gives physicians exceptionally clear, detailed imagery, with the help of high-definition screens. Scans taken in the past can be compared with the new photographs instantly, providing at-a-glance indicators of any changes.
While the ‘mole mapping’ machine is principally used in the prevention and diagnosis of skin cancer, the system has numerous clinical and aesthetic applications. Scarring is amongst the conditions that can benefit from the screening. It has also streamlined the management of hair loss, a common complaint in the Gulf region. Patients can even use a smartphone app to upload shots of their scalps to the machine’s industry-leading Trichovision solution.
“Before embarking on any course of treatment it’s important to identify the cause,” Dr. Ghannam added.
“While this type of examination, called trichoscopy, is typically complex, this innovative new tool at our hospital breaks it down into a simple three-step process. We can get to the root of the problem in no time.”
