Objective: Current strategies for estimating positive scar volume following burns is limited to employing subjective scar scales. This study assesses the accuracy and reliability of Measurement of Area and Volume Instrument System (MAVIS) III, a portable 3D active stereophotogrammetric imaging system, for non-invasive assessment of hypertrophic scar volume and elucidates factors that leads to inaccurate volume determination.
Methods: To determine accuracy, hypertrophic scars arising in various skin and wound types were modeled using moldable putty substance. Volumetric measurements calculated by the camera's software were compared to measurements determined by fluid displacement. To assess inter-rater reliability, 25 images of patients with hypertrophic scars on various anatomical regions (hand, arm, leg, and flank area) were assessed by three blind evaluators.
Results: Volumetric measurements obtained from MAVIS III ranged from adequate to excellent accuracy (Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.54-0.90) compared to measurements determined by fluid displacement. The reliability of volume determination of human hypertrophic scars was rated excellent (overall Intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.95).
Conclusions: This study finds that MAVIS III is accurate in its volumetric measurements and is reliable between users; making it a potential candidate for non-invasive assessment of hypertrophic scars. Further considerations for refining active stereo-photogrammetry and the user interface of the software are also highlighted to allow superior evaluation of scar volume.
Keywords: 3D imaging; Hypertrophic scar volume; Mavis III Wound Camera; Non-invasive imaging; Stereo-photogrammetry.
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