Journal
DIAGNOSTIC CYTOPATHOLOGY
Volume 25, Issue 6, Pages 389-396Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1002/dc.10021
Keywords
virtual microscopy; telepathology; telecytology; cervical-vaginal smears; thin-layer preparation; diagnostic accuracy
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Virtual microscopy (VM) refers to the use of an automated microscope and digital imaging technology to scan, store, and view, glass slides. VM systems allow, the user to view a scanned image of the entire slide at multiple magnifications on a computer screen. We tested VM to evaluate its possible utility in diagnostic cytopathology. Ten cervical-vaginal monolayered preparations (Auto-Cyte (TM) preparation) were scanned using a BLISS (TM) (Bacus Laboratories Inc. Slide Scanner) system, Approximately 20-30% of the cellular area of each slide was imaged. The cases were randomly chosen to include examples ranging from benign cellular changes (BCC) to high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). The computer performed image tiling and fusing of multiple JPEG images to create a high-quality VM slide. Six examiners (two each of cytopathologists, senior residents, and cytotechnologists) blindly evaluated the VM slides using an image server program ( WebSlide Browser (TM) thin client software). The cytopathologic diagnoses made on the VM slide were then compared to the original glass slide diagnoses. BLISS (TM) took 36-100 min (avg. 58.4 min) to scan the selected fields in a glass slide with file sizes ranging from 23.1-83.6 AIR Time taken by the examiners to render a diagnosis ranged from 1-15 min (avg. 4.1 min) per case. The combined diagnostic accuracy was 98.3%. Only one case of LSIL was missed by one examiner. VM is a promising new tool, which gives a user the feel and simulated experience of an actual microscopic examination and provides a useful alternative to a glass slide in diagnostic cytopathology. Possible applications include: 1) second opinion consultation without transporting the glass slide, 2) education, 3) VM proficiency tests / board exams, and 4) telepathology. Shortcomings include 1) expensive initial setup, 2) inability to maintain an adequate focus in a thick smear with multiple levels, 3) large storage size of the VM slide, and 4) relatively long time needed to scan a slide. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
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