Virtual telepathology in Egypt, applications of WSI in Cairo University

Abstract

Telepathology, the practice of pathology at a long distance, has advanced continuously since 1986. Today, fourth-generation telepathology systems, so-called virtual slide telepathology systems, are being used for education applications. Both conventional and innovative surgical pathology diagnostic services are being designed and implemented as well. We have a successful experience in Egypt in applying the static & dynamic techniques in a pilot project between the Italian Hospital in Cairo (NPO) and the Civico Hospital in Palermo This project began in 2003 and continued till now. In 2004, centers in Venice, London and Pittsburgh participated actively in our project. During the past seven years we consulted on many problematic pathological cases with these different specialized pathological centers in Italy, UK & USA. In addition to the highly specialized scientific value of consulting on the cases and exchanging knowledge, we saved a lot of time and money and succeeded in providing our patients with a better medical service. In view of this success we have already established a new Digital Telepathology unit (DTU) in the pathology department, Cairo University, using the latest technique of telepathology which is Whole Slide Imaging (WSI) since one year. This unit is considered the first Digital pathology unit in all the universities of the whole Middle East. During the passed year we created a digital pathology library for the under graduate students using the WSI technique and changed the teaching method of the histopathology slides to be completely digital. We are building another digital pathology library (for post graduate candidates) which will be available to all pathology candidates in Egyptian universities & universities in the surrounding Arabic countries. We are also creating a digital pathology network between pathology centers in the Middle East for exchanging knowledge & telepathology.

The Empirical Foundations of Telepathology: Evidence of Feasibility and Intermediate Effects

“…The results of a similar binational consultation project between Egypt and Italy were reported in 2011. 90 Although the project ran for 7 years, no empirical data were reported. The authors reported that consultations were completed ''.on many problematic pathological cases.…”

Performance of residents using digital images versus glass slides on certification examination in anatomical pathology: a mixed methods pilot study

“…21 Some pathology informatics rotations are now in place in several countries, including the United States and Canada. [22][23][24] An important challenge highlighted in the survey was balancing the need to develop skills for real practice as independent pathologists (mainly assessing glass slides) and the need to deve lop skills to pass the certification examination (through digital pathology training). Although digital whole-slide images are currently emerging as a tool for consultation and education, most reports suggest that these images are not yet ready for routine use in Canada.…”

A Method of Operating a Microscope over Internet for Remotely Viewing and Analyzing the Slides - Remote telemicroscopy

“…Essam A make use of whole slide imaging technique of telepathology system to provide consultation on complicated pathological cases saving time, money, improving health care services and also sharing knowledge between Italy, UK and US [11].…”