Toward realization of remote controlled telecytopathology-a validation study from a large academic medical center from the southeast United States

Abstract

Introduction: With increase in the number and types of biopsies requiring rapid on-site evaluation for adequacy, telecytopathology is one of the solutions.

Materials and methods: Using a microscope camera with MS Surface Pro, a live telecytopathology audio video feed for the adequacy of 55 study set validation cases was sent over Zoom from the satellite hospital over 10 miles away with cytopathologists at the main hospital. The study set cases included Diff-Quik-stained smears and core imprints.

Results: The overall percent of positive agreement (accuracy) for adequacy during rapid on-site evaluation via telecytopathology was 96%. Core imprint percentage for positive agreement was slightly higher (96.2%), than fine-needle aspiration smears (95.8%).

Conclusions: Use of telecytopathology is the best solution for optimizing the cytopathologist's time for evaluating biopsy adequacy from distant sites.

Keywords: Fine-needle aspiration (FNA); Rapid off-site evaluation (ROSE); Telecytology; Telecytopathology; Telepathology.