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/.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:DRESDEN/oai:qucosa:de:qucosa:70580 |
| Date | 20 May 2020 |
| Creators | Dalquen, Peter, Savic Prince, Spasenija, Spieler, Peter, Kunze, Dietmar, Neumann, Heinrich, Eppenberger-Castori, Serenella, Adams, Heiner, Glatz, Katharina, Bubendorf, Lukas |
| Publisher | Karger |
| Source Sets | Hochschulschriftenserver (HSSS) der SLUB Dresden |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion, doc-type:article, info:eu-repo/semantics/article, doc-type:Text |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
| Relation | 0001-5547, 1938-2650, 10.1159/000369241 |
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