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.
Get Citation
About this article
Title

Virtual slides: application in pulmonary pathology consultations.

Journal

Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica

Issue

Vol 46, No 1 (2008)

Article type

Original paper

Pages

121-124

Published online

2008-02-26

Page views

2358

Article views/downloads

1978

DOI

10.2478/v10042-008-0018-3

Bibliographic record

Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2008;46(1):121-124.

Authors

Janina Słodkowska
Lech Chyczewski
Michał Wojciechowski

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