Electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a noninvasive method that aims to help diagnose skin cancer. The EIS device consists of a handheld probe with a disposable electrode that is applied directly on the skin and uses electrical impendence differences to differentiate between normal and abnormal skin lesions. The EIS algorithm is best used on lesions that are deemed clinically or dermoscopically suspicious and has a high sensitivity in detecting malignant melanoma. The greatest usefulness of EIS is achieved in conjunction with a physician who has experience with this modality and excellent training in the clinical detection of suspicious lesions.
Key points
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Electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a noninvasive method of diagnosing skin cancer based on differences in electrical impendence between normal and abnormal skin.
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EIS is best performed by physicians who are trained to clinically detect seborrheic keratoses because these lesions are frequently inaccurately classified as malignant by EIS.
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EIS is safe with a high sensitivity in melanoma detection for lesions that are deemed suspicious on clinical and dermoscopic examination.
Introduction
Electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a noninvasive method that aims to help diagnose skin cancer. It is based on measuring electrical impedance in normal (banal) and abnormal (skin cancer) skin and using these measurements to differentiate nevi from melanoma. EIS has been studied since the 1980s and the technique available is now commercially in some countries. Normal and abnormal tissues differ with respect to cell size, shape, orientation, compactness, and structure of cell membranes. These different properties on a cellular level influence the ability of the cells to conduct and store electricity, which is reflected in differences in EIS measurements.
Introduction
Electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a noninvasive method that aims to help diagnose skin cancer. It is based on measuring electrical impedance in normal (banal) and abnormal (skin cancer) skin and using these measurements to differentiate nevi from melanoma. EIS has been studied since the 1980s and the technique available is now commercially in some countries. Normal and abnormal tissues differ with respect to cell size, shape, orientation, compactness, and structure of cell membranes. These different properties on a cellular level influence the ability of the cells to conduct and store electricity, which is reflected in differences in EIS measurements.
Technological equipment
The EIS device consists of a handheld probe equipped with a disposable electrode that is applied directly on the skin ( Fig. 1 ). This probe is connected to a small electrical device that is connected to a touch screen monitor via a cable ( Fig. 2 ). The latest generation of the EIS device permits integration of dermoscopy images into the patient chart together with the EIS measurements data. This feature permits the clinician to integrate the clinical, dermoscopic, and EIS information to augment the cognition of the operator in his or her decision making.
Electrode
The “microinvasive” electrode of the EIS machine only penetrates to the depth of the stratum corneum ( Fig. 3 ). The surface of each electrode is furnished with small gold covered microinvasive pins. These pins have a triangular shape and approximately 150 μm high with a 170-μm triangular base. These spicules penetrate into the stratum corneum and have a sand paperlike feel; the application of the electrode is painless. The electrode can obtain several measurements and can be used on multiple lesions per patient. Because the electrode does penetrate the stratum corneum, it must be discarded after each patient.
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Smartphone-Based Applications for Skin Monitoring and Melanoma Detection
Teledermatology Applications in Skin Cancer Diagnosis
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