Value of smart phone-assisted instant telecytopathology for rapid on-site evaluation in endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective:To explore the feasibility of smart phone real-time picture exchange-assisted telecytopathology for rapid on-site evaluation (tele-ROSE), and the role of tele-ROSE in improving the diagnostic efficiency of endoscopic physicians.Methods:Data of patients who underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) from April 2020 to May 2021 in Qilu Hospital of Shandong University were retrospectively collected. Patients who didn't receive ROSE from April 2020 to October 2020 were enrolled in the non-ROSE group, and those who underwent ROSE from November 2020 to May 2021 were enrolled in the ROSE group, of which endosonographers used WeChat on the smartphone to send ROSE images to cytopathologists from November 2020 to March 2021 were the mobile phone group, and those whose ROSE results independently diagnosed by trained endosonographers from April 2021 to May 2021 were the self-ROSE group. Basic information, ROSE results, postoperative pathology and follow-up were compared, and the diagnostic effectiveness of tele-ROSE was analyzed.Results:A total of 188 cases were included, of which 179 cases (95.2%) were solid pancreatic lesions and 9 (4.8%) were enterocoelia lesions. There was no significant difference in the puncture time among the non-ROSE, mobile phone and self-ROSE groups [3 (3, 4) VS 3 (3, 4) VS 3 (2, 4), H=1.320, P=0.517]. With the final diagnosis as the golden standard, the sensitivity, the specificity, the accuracy, the positive predictive value, the negative predictive value and Kappa value of the non-ROSE group were 80.6% (58/72), 89.5% (17/19), 82.4% (75/91), 96.7% (58/60), 54.8% (17/31), and 0.6 respectively. The corresponding indices in the ROSE group were 97.4% (74/76), 100.0% (21/21), 97.9% (95/97), 100.0% (74/74), 91.3% (21/23), and 0.9 respectively, those of the mobile phone group were 95.2% (40/42), 100.0% (10/10), 96.2% (50/52), 100.0% (40/40), 83.3% (10/12), and 0.9 respcetively, and those of the self-ROSE group were 100.0% (34/34), 100.0% (11/11), 100.0% (45/45), 100.0% (34/34), 100.0% (11/11), and 1.0 respectively. The sensitivity ( P=0.002), the accuracy ( P=0.001) and the negative predictive value ( P=0.009) of the ROSE group were significantly higher than those of the non-ROSE group, and there was no significant difference in other diagnostic efficacy indices ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference between the mobile phone group and the self-ROSE group in diagnostic efficacy ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Instant smartphone-assisted tele-ROSE through WeChat can well meet the needs of pathologists and endoscopic physicians. After the application of tele-ROSE training, the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic physicians is equivalent to that of cytopathologist, which helps to obtain more sufficient specimens under endoscopy and improve the diagnostic accuracy of EUS-FNA.

A telepathology based screening tool for COVID-19 by leveraging morphological changes related to leukocytes in peripheral blood smears

As we approach the aftermath of a global pandemic caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus (SARS-CoV-2), the importance of quickly developing rapid screening tests has become very clear from the point of view of containment and also saving lives. Here, we present an explorative study to develop a telepathology-based screening tool using peripheral blood smears (PBS) to identify Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)-positive cases from a group of 138 patients with flu-like symptoms, consisting of 82 positive and 56 negative samples. Stained blood smear slides were imaged using an automated slide scanner (AI 100) and the images uploaded to the cloud were analyzed by a pathologist to generate semi-quantitative leukocyte morphology-related data. These telepathology data were compared with the data generated from manual microscopy of the same set of smear slides and also the same pathologist. Besides good correlation between the data from telepathology and manual microscopy, we were able to achieve a sensitivity and specificity of 0.83 and 0.71, respectively, for identifying positive and negative COVID-19 cases using a six-parameter combination associated with leukocyte morphology. The morphological features included plasmacytoid cells, neutrophil dysplastic promyelocyte, neutrophil blast-like cells, apoptotic cells, smudged neutrophil, and neutrophil-to-immature granulocyte ratio. Although Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and antibody tests have a superior performance, the PBS-based telepathology tool presented here has the potential to be an interim screening tool in resource-limited settings in underdeveloped and developing countries.

Telepathology: An update on applications, latest advances, and current status in Indian scenario

Pathologists have been using their tool of trade, “the microscope,” since the early 17th century, but now diagnostic pathology or tissue-based diagnosis is characterized by its high specificity and sensitivity. Technological telecommunication advances have revolutionized the face of medicine, and in pursuit of better health-care delivery, telepathology has emerged. Telepathology is the practice of diagnostic pathology performed at a distance, with images viewed on a video monitor rather than directly through the (light) microscope. This article aims to provide an overview of the field, including specific applications, practice, benefits, limitations, regulatory issues, latest advances, and a perspective on the current status of telepathology in Indian scenario based on literature review.

A telecitologia na rotina do rastreamento do câncer do colo uterino / The telecithology in the routine of cervical cancer screening

Introdução: A telecitologia ou citologia digital é a interpretação de amostras citológicas à distância. Depende principalmente da conversão da informação óptica obtida da ocular de um microscópio em uma imagem digital, que posteriormente será transmitida remotamente. Possui aplicações em diversas áreas, como as consultas intraoperatórias, propósitos educacionais e para amenizar o problema da indisponibilidade de profissionais citopatologistas. Objetivo: Descrever sobre o uso da telecitologia na rotina do laboratório de citopatologia, seus métodos, aplicações, vantagens e desvantagens. Método: Tratase de um estudo de revisão de literatura. Resultados: O uso da telecitologia no auxílio ao diagnóstico das lesões cérvico-vaginais mostra-se vantajoso, uma vez que a geração das imagens a partir do screening das lâminas possibilita maior discussão de casos duvidosos, mesmo à distância. Além disso, essa tecnologia fornece garantia e segurança dos resultados, possibilidade de revisão de lâminas por outros profissionais e o armazenamento permanente dos resultados. Considerações finais: A citologia digital traz novas possibilidades, pois permite que imagens de espécimes citológicos estejam disponíveis para qualquer pessoa, em qualquer lugar, para uso em diversas áreas. Com o advento das novas tecnologias em saúde, a telecitologia é uma ferramenta extremamente útil que permite auxílio ao diagnóstico, especialmente a longas distâncias.

Introduction: Telecitology, or digital cytology is the interpretation of cytological samples at a distance. It mainly depends on the conversion of the optical information obtained from the eyepiece of a microscope into a digital image, which will subsequently be transmitted remotely. It has applications in several areas, such as intraoperative consultations, educational purposes and to alleviate the problem of the unavailability of cytopathologists. Objective: To describe the use of telecitology in routine laboratory cytopathology, its methods, applications, advantages and disadvantages. Method: This is a literature review. Results: The use of telecitology to aid in the diagnosis of cervicovaginal lesions is advantageous, since the generation of images from the screening of the slides allows a greater discussion of doubtful cases, even at a distance. In addition, this technology provides guarantee and safety of results, possibility of review of slides by other professionals, and the permanent storage of results. Final considerations: Digital cytology brings new possibilities, as it allows images of cytological specimens to be available to anyone, anywhere, for use in a variety of areas. With the advent of new health technologies, telecitology is an extremely useful tool that allows diagnostic assistance, especially at long distances.

Mongolian Telepathology Network (MonTelNet) / Монголын Анагаах Ухаан

IntroductionMongolian rural population lack of access to adequate health services due to the fact that they live remotefrom urban hospitals. With the rapid spread of telemedicine in most countries, has been promoted as apromising tool to address deficiencies in delivering health care in developing countries.In late 2008 the Swiss Surgical Team (SST) started the telemedicine project MonTelNet in Mongolia incollaboration and with financial support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).GoalThis study aims at evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of such a service by reviewing 212 telepathologydiagnoses delivered to the local experts in Ulaanbaatar between January 2009 and June 2013.Materials and MethodsUnder the MonTelNet project all province (Aimag) hospitals were equipped with hardware necessaryfor practicing telemedicine, in particular with computers with digitalized microscopes and cameras. Thesoftware CampusMedicus® (CM) was developed together with Klughammer GmbH. Software and alldata and comments exchanged over the MonTelNet are stored on a central server. Each of the originaldiagnoses issued through the CM telepathology (TP) server was compared to an independent reviewdiagnosis based on the original glass slides.RESULT For 188 specimens (89.9%) the TP diagnosis were completely identical with the review diagnosison the original glass slide. 12 specimens (5.7%) showed minor discrepancies (clinically identical) and 5specimens (2.4%) showed moderate discrepancies which were not clinically relevant. four cases (1.9%)exhibited a marked discrepancy (clinically relevant) between the TP diagnosis and the review diagnosis.Three specimens were classified as “other”.DISCUSSION The results of the study show a very high accuracy of the TP diagnosis provided. The TPdiagnoses differed markedly from the review diagnoses based on the original glass slide in only 1.9%of the 212 cases. 89.9% of all cases showed complete concordance between TP and review. Thesefigures are comparable to figures from other evaluations of static image telepathology.Conclusion:1. The results of the study show a very high accuracy (94.7%) of the TP diagnosis provided. TheTP diagnoses 89.9% of all cases showed complete concordance between TP and conventionalreview.2. Problem with image selection show a different picture and occur more often in cases with markeddiscrepancies between TP and review - χ2-test shows significant correlation (p<0.001).

Cytotechnologists and On-Site Evaluation of Adequacy

While fine needle aspiration (FNA) is certainly not a new biopsy technique, recent developments in advanced imaging techniques, molecular testing, and targeted therapies have coincided with a rapid increase in the number of FNA procedures being performed. Concurrently, the demand for on-site evaluation of adequacy (OSEA) has also increased, outstripping the capacity of available cytopathologists at some institutions. Among the several alternatives to cytopathologist-performed OSEA, cytotechnologist-attended OSEA stands out because it preserves the representation of the pathology service at the time of the procedure. Herein, we review the current literature about OSEA and the necessity of cytotechnologists to expand access of this useful pathology service to a broader patient population. We also examine how cytotechnologists are likely to fit into the emerging practice of telecytology.

Reprodutibilidade do diagnóstico histopatológico de dermatoses por fotomicrografias digitais versus microscopia óptica convencional / Reproducibility of histopathologic diagnosis of skin diseases by digital photomicrographs versus conventional optical microscopy

FUNDAMENTOS: A telepatologia é considerada boa alternativa para consultas de segunda opinião. Sua implementação é desejável, mas estudos que confirmem sua aplicação prática são necessários. OBJETIVOS: Analisar a concordância entre os diagnósticos histopatológicos de dermatoses feitos com base em microfotografias digitais em comparação com a microscopia convencional. MÉTODOS: As lâminas de 135 pacientes foram avaliadas por dois consultores por meio de microscópio. Após quatro semanas, os mesmos consultores avaliaram 1.738 microfotografias digitais obtidas dessas lâminas. Estimou-se a taxa geral de concordância intraobservadores e interobservadores e obteve-se o índice Kappa com a categorização das dermatoses: dermatoses neoplásicas, dermatoses infectocontagiosas e não infectocontagiosas. RESULTADOS: A concordância do Consultor 1, que analisou lâminas ao microscópio versus imagens, foi de 88,1 por cento (IC 95 por cento = 81,5 por cento - 93,1 por cento). O Consultor 2 obteve concordância de 80,7 por cento (IC 95 por cento = 73,1 por cento - 87 por cento). A concordância interconsultores ao microscópio foi de 81,5 por cento (IC 95 por cento = 73,9 por cento - 87,6 por cento). A mesma análise por meio de microfotografias mostrou concordância de 85,9 por cento (IC 95 por cento = 78,9 por cento - 91,3 por cento). O índice Kappa, que avalia as dermatoses categorizadas, foi de 98,6 por cento para o Consultor 1, de 93,1 por cento para o Consultor 2, de 95,8 por cento para interconsulta por imagens e de 95,9 por cento para interconsultas ao microscópio óptico. Todos esses valores são considerados ótimos. CONCLUSÃO: A avaliação das microfotografias apresentou ótimo nível de reprodutibilidade quando comparada à microscopia tradicional, sendo uma opção viável para consultas de segunda opinião em dermatopatologia.

BACKGROUND: Telepathology is considered a good alternative for a second opinion consultation. Its implementation is desirable, but studies to confirm its practical application are required. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the reproducibility of histopathologic diagnoses of skin diseases obtained through digital photomicrographs compared with conventional microscopy. METHODS: We evaluated the surgical specimens of 135 patients using an optical microscope. After 4 weeks, the same consultants independently evaluated a total of 1,738 digital photomicrographs obtained from the histopathological slides. We estimated the overall rate of intra and interobserver agreement, and the Kappa coefficient was obtained with the categorization of the skin diseases: neoplastic skin diseases, infectious-contagious skin diseases and non-infectious-contagious skin diseases. RESULTS: Consultant 1 obtained an agreement of 88.1 percent (95 percent CI = 81.5 percent - 93.1 percent) between conventional microscopy and images. Consultant 2 obtained an agreement of 80.7 percent (95 percent CI = 73.1 percent - 87 percent). The interobserver agreement for the microscopy analysis was 81.5 percent (95 percent CI = 73.9 percent - 87.6 percent). The same analysis using microphotography showed an agreement of 85.9 percent (95 percent CI = 78.9 percent - 91.3 percent). The Kappa coefficient, which evaluated the categorized skin diseases, was 98.6 percent for Consultant 1, 93.1 percent for Consultant 2, 95.8 percent for interconsultant analyses of images and 95.9 percent for interconsultant analyses using conventional optical microscopy. All of these values are considered optimal. CONCLUSION: The evaluation of microphotographs shows a good level of reproducibility when compared to traditional microscopy and, therefore, is a viable option for a second opinion consultation in dermatopathology.

Comparison of Two Internet Based Telepathology Systems: CORBA and ActiveX System / 대한의료정보학회지

Telepathology systems will be common systems in hospitals. The two systems were designed and implemented in web environments for test. One was implemented with the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) technique. The other system was implemented in the form of ActiveX. The histopathological materials were stained by Hematoxylin and Eosin. By the Donpisha CCD camera attached to an Olympus BX-51 optical microscope 180 color images come to be acquired. For evaluation of the systems, transmission times and telediagnosis concordance rates were measured. Image processing ability was tested using two telepathology systems. For the local area test, system I using CORBA had measured image transmission times of 0.1 s, 0.2 s, and 0.4 s at the file sizes of 100 K byte, 900 K byte and 3.6 M byte respectively. Transmission times for system II using Component Object Model (COM) were slightly slower, ranging from 0.02 s to 0.05 s. In the long distance area test, system II transmission times were 0.5 s, 0.8 s, and 2.0 s. The overall concordance rate of telediagnosis for the 180 images was 78.3%. In this study, we compared our systems about image transmission, and processing for the further development of system configurations.

An Experimental Study on Telepathology System for the Optimum Image / 대한의료정보학회지

This study is intended to the diagnostic accuracy and reproducibility rate according to the input devices and the video signals, potential technical problems of the telepathology system and possible physical and psychological impacts. Web based in telepathology system had been developed and in use, but their functional capability and diagnostic accuracy are considered to be inferior to those of conventional optical microscope. We devised a telepathology system using our existing microscope equipped with CCD camera unit that has no restriction of network speed. Total 55 histopathologic cases from various organs were selected. Three pathologists are involved in making diagnoses. The resulting diagnostic accuracies were 1CCD camera with composite video signal was 86.2%, 3CCD camera with composite video signal was 93.1% and 3CCD camera with component video signal was 95.0%. The 3CCD camera with component video signal resulted 95.0% diagnostic accuracy and was superior to 1CCD and 3CCD camera with composite video signal. At this time of problems were not noted in the monitor quality.

Maximal Diagnostic Accuracy in Virtual Telepathology System according to Input Device and Video Signal

Varieties of telepathology system had been developed and in use, but their functional capability and diagnostic accuracy are considered to be inferior to those of conventional optical microscope. This study is intended to find out: 1) the diagnostic accuracy and reproducibility rate according to the input devices and the video signals; 2) any potential technical problems of the telepathology system; 3) any possible physical and psychological impacts. We devised a virtual telepathology system using our existing microscope equipped with CCD camera unit that has no restriction of network speed. Total fifty-five surgical pathology cases from 11 different organs were selected. Three pathologists were involved in making diagnoses. The resulting diagnostic accuracies were: 1 CCD camera with composite video signal was 86.2%; 3 CCD camera with composite video signal was 93.1%; 3 CCD camera with component video signal was 95.0%. The 3 CCD camera with component video signal resulted in 95.0% diagnostic accuracy and was superior to 1 CCD camera with composite video signal. Some technical problems noted during this study were: the visual field of the virtual telepathology system was smaller by 43% than that of microscope; the difference of cell sizes between microscope and monitor; low resolution of image. Some physical and psychological symptoms were noted.