Optical transfer diagnosis differentiating benign and malignant pigmented lesions in a simulated primary care practice.

Background: The detection of melanoma poses a substantial challenge, particularly for primary care providers (PCPs) who may have limited training in discriminating between suspicious and benign melanocytic lesions. The noninvasive optical transfer diagnosis (OTD) method was designed to be used by PCPs in their decision-making process.

Objectives: To assess the potential of the OTD method by developing, training and validating an OTD indication algorithm for automated discrimination between benign melanocytic lesions and malignant lesions, based on a set of 712 lesions.

Dramatic and persistent loss of eyelashes.

Although most paediatric hair loss presenting to clinicians is due to alopecia areata, unusual patterns should prompt a careful history.