The first images of atopic dermatitis: an attempt at retrospective diagnosis in dermatology.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis was defined in 1933. Earlier descriptions have yet not been thoroughly studied. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to identify the first images of atopic dermatitis among historical illustrations of skin diseases. METHODS: We posted 20 selected images on an Internet site and asked experts in pediatric dermatology to decide whether or not they represented atopic dermatitis. RESULTS: By means of the Delphi technique, a consensus could be reached for 19 of the 20 images. The experts' accuracy was good. LIMITATIONS: Thirty-one experts participated. No validated criteria were used for the selection of the images. CONCLUSION: The first representations of atopic dermatitis are engravings of skin diseases described under the names of strophulus confertus (Willan, 1796), lichen agrius (Willan, 1796), porrigo larvalis (Bateman, 1816), and eczema rubrum (Rayer, 1835). Teledermatology techniques can be reliably applied to retrospective diagnosis.