faster evaluation of abcd rule and total dermoscopic score for nevomelanocytic lesions: dermoscopic score scale

Background: dermoscopy is a dermatological examination method that is made with a special magnifying device called dermoscope (or dermatoscope). the device is usually used in the evaluation of nevomelanocytic lesions, and it is especially important in determining a, b, c, and d scores used in the calculation of “total dermoscopic score (tds)”. this score facilitates the identification of malignancy risk of lesions. for this evaluation, there is a need for several mathematical calculations, which are quite time-consuming. objectives: this study aimed to develop a new scale to calculate the score quicker to accelerate the determination of malignancy risk of nevomelanocytic lesions. methods: all possible scores, which were obtained by the addition of individually multiplying all possible values of a, b, c, and d letters by their own coefficients, were mathematically calculated with a simple calculator. the quartets of abcd giving the same score were reduced to their lowest numbers. all possible ab and cd pairs were systematically arranged on a scale that had a column of ab and a row of cd values. all results of the quartets were gradually placed on a scale from minimum to maximum. results: a total of 810 quartets of abcd were determined. by the reduction of ones giving the same scores, a total of 207 values were obtained. all quartets and their total scores were placed on a scale called “dermoscopic score scale”. on the scale, white, yellow, and red score areas indicated benign, suspicious, and high-risk nevomelanocytic lesions for melanoma. conclusions: this scale helps faster obtain tds of nevomelanocytic lesions by decreasing the calculation period, especially when an analog handheld dermoscope is used.