International Dermoscopy Society (IDS) criteria for skin tumors: validation for skin of color through a Delphi expert consensus by the “Imaging in Skin of Color” IDS Task Force

Abstract

Introduction: A structured set of eight basic dermoscopic parameters (lines, clods, dots, circles, pseudopods, structureless, else, and vessels) including a total of 77 variables with corresponding descriptive and metaphoric vocabulary has been released for evaluation of skin tumors by the International Dermoscopy Society (IDS). Objectives: To validate the aforementioned criteria for the use in darker phototypes (phototypes IV-VI) via an expert consensus. Methods: The two-round “Delphi method” was adopted, with an iterative process including two rounds of email questionnaires. Potential panelists were asked to take part to the procedure via email on the basis of their expertise on dermoscopy of skin tumors in dark phototypes. Results: A total of 17 participants were involved. All the original variables of the eight basic parameters reached agreement during the first round, except for “pink small clods” (“milky red globules”) and “structureless pink zone” (“milky red areas”). Moreover, during the first round, panelists proposed a change of three existing items and the introduction of four new items, i.e., “black, small clods” (“black globules”), “follicular plugs”, “erosions/ulcerations”, and “white color around vessels” (“perivascular white halo”). All such proposals achieved agreement, thus being included in the final list, for a total of 79 items. There was consistency between descriptive and metaphoric approach in terms of scoring. Conclusions: Albeit most of the original items were considered applicable even for skin of color, there are some points of differences that physicians need to know. No significant preference was found between descriptive and metaphoric terminology among panelists.