Informational aspects of telepathology in routine surgical pathology.

Application of computer and telecommunication technology calls serious challenges in routine diagnostic pathology. Complete data integration, fast access patients' data to usage of diagnosis thesaurus labeled with standardized codes and free text supplements, complex inquiry of the data contents, data exchange via teleconsultation and multilevel data protection are required functions of an integrated information system. Increasing requirement for teleconsultation transferring a large amount of multimedia data among different pathology information systems raises new questions in telepathology. Creation of complex telematic systems in pathology requires efficient methods of software engineering and implementation. Information technology of object-oriented modeling, usage of client server architecture and relational database management systems enables more compatible systems in field of telepathology. The aim of this paper is to present a practical example how to unify text based database, image archive and teleconsultation in a frame of an integrated telematic system and to discuss the main conceptual questions of information technology of telepathology.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is present in human and cat gastric glands.

In the present work we have studied the occurrence of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) in human and cat stomach mucosa using immunohistochemistry. As seen under a light microscope, there were many large rounded and ovoid cells that were PACAP immunopositive, mainly in the neck of the gastric glands of both species. The immunopositive material was predominant in the perinuclear area. The PACAP immunolabeling was specific because the preincubation of the antiserum with PACAP abolished the immunostaining. In human samples under electron microscope, the PACAP immunoreactive cells have shown the characteristics of parietal cells. In faintly stained cells, the localization of DAB reaction product was associated with the surface of the intracellular canaliculi. Cell labeling could not be observed besides parietal cells.

[Support by telecommunication of decisions in diagnostic pathology. Experience with the first telepathology system in Hungary]. / Telekommunikációs döntéstámogatás a diagnosztikus patológiában. Tapasztalatok az elsó hazai telepatológiai rendszerrel.

The term of telepathology can be determined as diagnostic work of the pathologist at distance via an interactive telecommunication connection in which the image of the specimen appears on a monitor instead of viewing it directly through a microscope. Being a part of the telemedicine, the fast development of the telepathology is based on the revolution of the new digital technology. Technical advances of telecommunication and of image procession in the latest 80s have provided the means to transfer huge amount of visual information in narrow communication bandwidth in two direction link. In 1995 multiple live image transmission with simultaneous voice transfer has been performed between the Department of Pathology of MI Central Hospital and 1.st Institute of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research of Semmelweis Medical University, Budapest. Transfer rate via ISDN channel was 128 kbit/sec. The first live image telemedicine system in CCE/NIS countries has achieved transmission of cytological smears, frozen sections and paraffin embedded slides supplemented with immunohistochemical preparations. Quality of visual information using video-conference software of standard H.320 was suitable for diagnosis. Development of global telepathology services depends on compatibility of different systems and on comprehensive examinations of cost, accessibility and quality for the clients and providers of telemedicine. Recent paper surveys shortly the historical development of the telepathology, analyses the essence of the new consultation technology, summaries the first experiences in Hungary and raises some questions have to be answered in the near future.