Remote Evaluation of Short Videos Captured by Static Telecytological Applications for Obtaining Expert Opinions

Abstract

Over the last decade, cytopathology laboratories wishing to achieve an automated and seamless workflow process, to diminish turnaround times and to improve their diagnostic accuracy have successfully adopted information technologies and automation. New types of cameras and microscopes, connected to computers, have made possible image capture and transmission (telecytology). New innovative information technologies, including e-health and telemedical applications, constitute a valuable tool for interlaboratory collaboration and quality improvement. New applications are expected to enhance the opportunities for improvement in the field of cytological data management and sharing. In this article, we emphasize on the possible use of short videos captured by static telecytology applications in a modern cytopathology laboratory wishing to establish an effective interlaboratory comparison system and obtain expert opinions in diagnostically challenging cases from distant consultants with well recognized diagnostic competence and experience in the field of thyroid cytology.

Implementation of pre‐captured videos for remote diagnosis of cervical cytology specimens

“…Cohen’s κ statistic was used for the calculation of intraobserver reproducibility 1‐5 . Mean intraobserver reproducibility was calculated as the weighted average of the individual κ values.…”

“…Mean intraobserver reproducibility was calculated as the weighted average of the individual κ values. To determine the significance of the intraobserver k values, we used the Svanholm formula 1‐5 …”

“…Telecytology is the interpretation of cytology material at a distance using digital images 1‐5 . Telecytology can be used for teaching, professional assessment, auditing, archiving, quantitative cytology and research, obtaining expert opinions on difficult cases, and routine diagnosis of the entire laboratory workload 1‐5 .…”

“…Telecytology is the interpretation of cytology material at a distance using digital images 1‐5 . Telecytology can be used for teaching, professional assessment, auditing, archiving, quantitative cytology and research, obtaining expert opinions on difficult cases, and routine diagnosis of the entire laboratory workload 1‐5 . Telecytological diagnosis can be achieved either with the use of cytological pictures viewed in real time from the microscope (dynamic telecytological systems) or with the use of cytological pictures that are first captured in digital format and then transmitted using a store‐and‐forward approach to distant observers (static telecytological systems) 3‐5 .…”

“…Diagnoses made using telecytology should be as reliable as those made using conventional microscopy. The existing studies which focused on the possible impact of static telecytology in the everyday laboratory workflow have found a high (90%‐95%) concordance between telecytological and glass slide diagnoses 4‐11 . At present, all available studies compare static and dynamic telecytology systems, but no study is available that has focused on the alternative implementation of short videos, captured by static telecytology stations for telemedical applications.…”