Verification and Validation of Digital Pathology (Whole Slide Imaging) for Primary Histopathological Diagnosis: All Wales Experience.

AIMS: The study is aimed to verify Aperio AT2 scanner for reporting on the digital pathology platform (DP) and to validate the cohort of pathologists in the interpretation of DP for routine diagnostic histopathological services in Wales, United Kingdom. MATERIALS METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a large multicenter study involving seven hospitals across Wales and unique with 22 (largest number) pathologists participating. 7491 slides from 3001 cases were scanned on Leica Aperio AT2 scanner and reported on digital workstations with Leica software of e-slide manager. A senior pathology fellow compared DP reports with authorized reports on glass slide (GS). A panel of expert pathologists reviewed the discrepant cases under multiheader microscope to establish ground truth. 2745 out of 3001 (91%) cases showed complete concordance between DP and GS reports. Two hundred and fifty-six cases showed discrepancies in diagnosis, of which 170 (5.6%) were deemed of no clinical significance by the review panel. There were 86 (2.9%) clinically significant discrepancies in the diagnosis between DP and GS. The concordance was raised to 97.1% after discounting clinically insignificant discrepancies. Ground truth lay with DP in 28 out of 86 clinically significant discrepancies and with GS in 58 cases. Sensitivity of DP was 98.07% (confidence interval [CI] 97.57-98.56%); for GS was 99.07% (CI 98.72-99.41%). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that Leica Aperio AT2 scanner produces adequate quality of images for routine histopathologic diagnosis. Pathologists were able to diagnose in DP with good concordance as with GS. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS OF THIS STUDY: Strengths of this study - This was a prospective blind study. Different pathologists reported digital and glass arms at different times giving an ambience of real-time reporting. There was standardized use of software and hardware across Wales. A strong managerial support from efficiency through the technology group was a key factor for the implementation of the study. LIMITATIONS: This study did not include Cytopathology and in situ hybridization slides. Difficulty in achieving surgical pathology practise standardization across the whole country contributed to intra-observer variations.

Outcomes of cervical liquid-based cytology suggesting a glandular abnormality.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the positive predictive value of both ?glandular neoplasia (national standard code 6) and borderline change (national standard code 8) in glandular cells in liquid-based cervical cytology specimens in Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust and to outline the histological outcomes of these cases. METHOD: Eighty-nine liquid-based (Surepath) cervical cytology cases were retrospectively identified from a 2-year period (January 2005 to December 2006) and correlated with histopathological diagnoses. RESULTS: Initial punch biopsy histology revealed 18 cases (21%) of cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia (CGIN). A further nine cases (10%) of CGIN were identified following local excision or hysterectomy. Ten cases of invasive malignancy were identified: four endocervical adenocarcinomas (all node negative, TNM stage T1b1), five endometrial adenocarcinomas and one squamous cell carcinoma. There were 10 with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) alone. Women diagnosed with endometrial malignancy presented later with an average age of 64.6 years compared with 34.9 years for endocervical lesions. Taking high-grade CIN or worse as a positive outcome, the overall positive predictive value (PPV) of glandular abnormalities on cytology (both code 6 and 8) was 58.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) 47.8, 68.4]. PPV for borderline change in glandular cells alone was 24.1% (95% CI 8.5, 39.6) and for ?glandular neoplasia alone 75.4% (95% CI 64.3, 86.5). CONCLUSION: With our interpretation of the classification, women with cytological diagnoses of glandular neoplasia of the cervix should initially be investigated by local resection rather than punch biopsy, and those with borderline change in glandular cells with repeat cytology.

Ready, steady, go! What do histopathology trainees think they need from training to enable them to develop autonomy in surgical pathology reporting?

AIMS: This is a qualitative study of the perceived learning needs of trainees for graded responsibility in histopathological training in the UK. METHODS: A focus group with trainees and interviews with consultants was carried out. Participants were asked 'What do you perceive are the learning needs of histopathology trainees to develop skills for safe and confident independent reporting in surgical histopathology?' Data was analysed using open coding content analysis for items relating to training content and structure. RESULTS: Trainees and consultants perceived a need for a case load of around 100 specimens per week with a continuously variable case mix. It was thought necessary to be the principal presenter of cases at multidisciplinary team meetings. There was a perceived need for adequate amounts of supervision by consultants using double-headed microscopes and sufficient time to develop skills in microscopic visual perception through detailed feature discussion, not necessarily related to specific diagnoses. Being able to write clear histopathology reports, developing the ability to recognise normal histology and to be aware of diagnostic pitfalls were also thought to be important. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings may inform efficacious implementation of graded responsibility in histopathology departments and be used as a sound basis for further research.