open access
Vol 46, No 1 (2008)
Original paper
Submitted: 2011-12-19
Published online: 2008-02-26
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Virtual slides: application in pulmonary pathology consultations.
Janina Słodkowska, Lech Chyczewski, Michał Wojciechowski
DOI: 10.2478/v10042-008-0018-3
·
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2008;46(1):121-124.
open access
Vol 46, No 1 (2008)
ORIGINAL PAPERS
Submitted: 2011-12-19
Published online: 2008-02-26
Abstract
The Virtual Slide (VS) is an interactive microscope emulator that presents a complete digitized tissue section via the Internet. A successful implementation of VS has been observed for educational, research venues and quality control. VS acquisition for consultative pathology is not so common. The purpose of this study was to explore the efficacy and usability of VS in the consultative pulmonary telepathology. 20 lung tumors entered the study. The performance was programmed for 2 medical centers specialized in pulmonary pathology (beginner and advancer in telepathology). A high-quality VSs were prepared by Coolscope (Nikon, Eclipsnet VSL, Japan), and were evaluated via the Internet. The cases were reviewed for the second time with conventional light microscope. VS diagnostic accuracy and the interobserver variability were evaluated. Also the time taken by examiners to render the diagnoses and time needed to scan the microscopic slide were analyzed. Percentage concordance between original glass-slides diagnosis and diagnosis for VSs was very high. Pathologists found the download speed of VSs adequate; experience in telepathology reduced the time of VS diagnosis. VS implementation suggests advantages for teleconsulation and education but also indicate some technical limitations. This is the first Polish trial of VS implementation in telepathology consultative service.
Abstract
The Virtual Slide (VS) is an interactive microscope emulator that presents a complete digitized tissue section via the Internet. A successful implementation of VS has been observed for educational, research venues and quality control. VS acquisition for consultative pathology is not so common. The purpose of this study was to explore the efficacy and usability of VS in the consultative pulmonary telepathology. 20 lung tumors entered the study. The performance was programmed for 2 medical centers specialized in pulmonary pathology (beginner and advancer in telepathology). A high-quality VSs were prepared by Coolscope (Nikon, Eclipsnet VSL, Japan), and were evaluated via the Internet. The cases were reviewed for the second time with conventional light microscope. VS diagnostic accuracy and the interobserver variability were evaluated. Also the time taken by examiners to render the diagnoses and time needed to scan the microscopic slide were analyzed. Percentage concordance between original glass-slides diagnosis and diagnosis for VSs was very high. Pathologists found the download speed of VSs adequate; experience in telepathology reduced the time of VS diagnosis. VS implementation suggests advantages for teleconsulation and education but also indicate some technical limitations. This is the first Polish trial of VS implementation in telepathology consultative service.
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About this articleTitle
Virtual slides: application in pulmonary pathology consultations.
Journal
Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica
Issue
Article type
Original paper
Pages
121-124
Published online
2008-02-26
Page views
2202
Article views/downloads
1859
DOI
10.2478/v10042-008-0018-3
Bibliographic record
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2008;46(1):121-124.
Authors
Janina Słodkowska
Lech Chyczewski
Michał Wojciechowski
