Making cytological diagnoses on digital images using the iPath network.
Acta Cytol
; 58(5): 453-60, 2014.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-25402774
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The iPath telemedicine platform Basel is mainly used for histological and cytological consultations, but also serves as a valuable learning tool.AIM:
To study the level of accuracy in making diagnoses based on still images achieved by experienced cytopathologists, to identify limiting factors, and to provide a cytological image series as a learning set.METHOD:
Images from 167 consecutive cytological specimens of different origin were uploaded on the iPath platform and evaluated by four cytopathologists. Only wet-fixed and well-stained specimens were used. The consultants made specific diagnoses and categorized each as benign, suspicious or malignant.RESULTS:
For all consultants, specificity and sensitivity regarding categorized diagnoses were 83-92 and 85-93%, respectively; the overall accuracy was 88-90%. The interobserver agreement was substantial (κ = 0.791). The lowest rate of concordance was achieved in urine and bladder washings and in the identification of benign lesions.CONCLUSION:
Using a digital image set for diagnostic purposes implies that even under optimal conditions the accuracy rate will not exceed to 80-90%, mainly because of lacking supportive immunocytochemical or molecular tests. This limitation does not disqualify digital images for teleconsulting or as a learning aid. The series of images used for the study are open to the public at http//pathorama.wordpress.com/extragenital-cytology-2013/.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Telemedicine
/
Hyperplasia
/
Metaplasia
/
Neoplasms
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Aged
/
Aged80
/
Child
/
Child, preschool
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Infant
/
Male
Language:
En
Journal:
Acta Cytol
Year:
2014
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Switzerland