Combining dynamic and static robotic telepathology: a report on 184 consecutive cases of frozen sections, histology and cytology

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Della Mea, Vincenzo^; | Cataldi, Palmina | Pertoldi, Barbara | Beltrami, Carlo A.

Affiliations: Institute of Pathology, University of Udine, Italy

Note: [] Correspondence to: Dr. Vincenzo Della Mea, Institute of Pathology, University of Udine, p.le S.Maria della Misericordia, 33100 Udine, Italy. Fax: +39 432 559420; E‐mail: dellamea@dimi.uniud.it.

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to describe the experiments carried out to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of a dynamic‐robotic telepathology system for the delivery of pathology services to distant hospitals. The system provides static/dynamic features and the remote control of a robotized microscope over 4 ISDN lines. For evaluation purposes, 184 consecutive cases of frozen sections (60), gastrointestinal pathology (64), and urinary cytology (60) have been diagnosed at a distance using the system, and the telediagnosis obtained in this way has been compared with the traditional microscopic diagnosis. Diagnostic agreement ranged from 90% in urinary cytology to 100% in frozen sections. The results obtained suggest that such a system can be considered a useful tool for supporting the pathology practice in isolated hospitals.

Journal: Analytical Cellular Pathology, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 33-39, 2000