Objective: To assess whether digital images can be useful in evaluating interobserver variability in cervical-vaginal cytology.
Study design: In phase 1 of the study, to measure interobserver variability, a set of 160 digital images was submitted to 192 cytologists with experience ranging from 2 to > 30 years. The set was preceded by two days of immersion in lessons and practical exercises with digital images. In phase 2, to compare different procedures of interobserver variability, two different sets of slides and one set of digital images were used.
Results: In phase 1, kappa and weighted kappa w values computed against both the consensus and the target diagnosis showed good agreement, with few exceptions. In phase 2, the consensus and target diagnoses obtained on the slide sets and digital set were compared. Mean k and kw values obtained with the digital images in phase 2 were significantly lower as compared to those in phase 1.
Conclusion: A set of digital images can be a useful tool for evaluating and improving interobserver reproducibility. A two-day course on digital images could be an ideal modality for introducing this new technology.