An experimental inter-expert telepathology network using static imaging

Tucker, J H; Busch, Ch.; Spatz, Alan; Wells, Clive; Brugal, G.

doi:10.1136/jcp.54.10.752

Cited by 15 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 20 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…25 We found a higher concordance with optical microscopy than previous static image based telepathology studies. [13][14][15] This might be explained by the fact that this technology eliminates sampling error.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital slide and virtual microscopy based routine and telepathology evaluation of routine gastrointestinal biopsy specimens

Molnár

2003

Journal of Clinical Pathology

106

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Aims: To evaluate a recently developed digital slide and virtual microscope system, and to compare this method with optical microscopy on routine gastrointestinal biopsy specimens in both local and remote access modes. Methods: A fully computer controlled commercial microscope was used. The scanning program included object detection, autofocus, and image compression algorithms. The overall hard disk space for a gastric biopsy was between 30 and 50 MB and the scanning time was between 20 and 40 minutes. Haematoxylin and eosin stained routine gastric (61) and colon (42) biopsy specimens were selected, scanned, and evaluated by two specialists on an optical (OM) and virtual microscope (VM). Results: The overall concordance of VM and OM with the consensus diagnosis was 95.1% and 97%, respectively. Clinically important concordance was 96.1% and 98% for VM and OM, respectively. The two methods showed concordance in 92% of cases and clinically important concordance in 94.1% of cases. The reasons for discordance were image quality (one case), interpretation difference (three cases), and insufficient clinical information (three cases). Remote evaluation of the digital slides through the Internet has the advantages of the previously used static and dynamic telepathology methods. Conclusions: Diagnostic concordance was found between OM and VM. The digital slide and the virtual microscope can be alternative techniques in the computerisation of the histology laboratory and in teleconsultation services after further evaluation of time and storage constraints.A s a result of the rapid developments in information technology, medical digital image analysis is becoming a widely accepted technique.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital slide and virtual microscopy based routine and telepathology evaluation of routine gastrointestinal biopsy specimens

Molnár

2003

Journal of Clinical Pathology

106

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Telepathology has found uses in many areas of histopathology, 11,25,[47][48][49][50][51] but there have been relatively few published rigorous trials (Table 1). This section surveys the published literature and highlights trials which could be used in a full evidence-based assessment of telepathology, dividing them into specific areas within histopathology.…”

Section: Published Trials Of Telepathologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Telepathology: current status and future prospects in diagnostic histopathology

2002

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Telepathology is the process of diagnostic histopathology performed on digital images viewed on a display screen rather than by conventional glass slide light microscopy. The technology of telepathology has radically improved over the past 5 years so that it is no longer the limiting factor in the diagnostic process. This review looks at the resources needed for dynamic and static telepathology, including image quality, computers and software interfaces, means of transmission and human resources. It critically analyses 32 published trials of telepathology, including some large prospective studies, in all areas of diagnostic histopathology including intraoperative frozen sections, routine and referral cases. New developments, including internet solutions and virtual microscopy, are described and there is analysis of the economics of telepathology within health care systems. The review concludes that all the necessary technology for telepathology is available, there is strong published evidence for a diagnostic accuracy comparable with glass slide diagnosis, in many contexts there is a clear-cut economic argument in favour of telepathology, and that the technique should now be integrated into mainstream diagnostic histopathology.

show abstract

“…The development of the Internet has facilitated expert consultation in pathology [1][2][3][4][5] . Generalized, open systems form the basis of telepathology services [3][4][5][6][7] .…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Teleconsultation in diagnostic pathology: experience from Iran and Germany with the use of two European telepathology servers

et al. 2004

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Eighty pathology cases were sent independently to each of two telepathology servers. Cases were submitted from the Department of Pathology at the University of Kerman in Iran (40 cases) and from the Institute of Pathology in Berlin, Germany (40 cases). The telepathology servers were located in Berlin (the UICC server) and Basel in Switzerland (the iPATH server). A scoring system was developed to quantify the differences between the diagnoses of the referring pathologist and the remote expert. Preparation of the cases, as well as the submission of images, took considerably longer from Kerman than from Berlin; this was independent of the server system. The Kerman delay was mainly associated with a slower transmission rate and longer image preparation. The diagnostic gap between referrers' and experts' diagnoses was greater with the iPATH system, but not significantly so. The experts' response time was considerably shorter for the iPATH system. The results showed that telepathology is feasible for requesting pathologists working in a developing country or in an industrialized country. The key factor in the quality of the service is the work of the experts: they should be selected according to their diagnostic expertise, and their commitment to the provision of telepathology services is critical.

show abstract

An experimental inter-expert telepathology network using static imaging

Cited by 15 publications

References 20 publications

Digital slide and virtual microscopy based routine and telepathology evaluation of routine gastrointestinal biopsy specimens

Digital slide and virtual microscopy based routine and telepathology evaluation of routine gastrointestinal biopsy specimens

Telepathology: current status and future prospects in diagnostic histopathology

Teleconsultation in diagnostic pathology: experience from Iran and Germany with the use of two European telepathology servers

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About