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Advantage of Z‐stacking for teleconsultation between the USA and Colombia
Author(s) -
MosqueraZamudio Andres,
Hanna Matthew G.,
ParraMedina Rafael,
Piedrahita Ana C.,
RodriguezUrrego Paula A.,
Pantanowitz Liron
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
diagnostic cytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.417
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1097-0339
pISSN - 8755-1039
DOI - 10.1002/dc.23992
Subject(s) - magnification , concordance , medicine , cytopathology , stacking , diagnostic accuracy , ranking (information retrieval) , telepathology , image quality , quality (philosophy) , medical physics , artificial intelligence , computer science , radiology , telemedicine , pathology , image (mathematics) , cytology , health care , philosophy , physics , epistemology , nuclear magnetic resonance , economics , economic growth
There is an emerging need for telecytology in Colombia as the demand for cytopathology has increased. However, due to economic and technological constraints telecytology services are limited. Our aim was to evaluate the diagnostic feasibility of using whole slide imaging with and without Z‐stacking for telecytology in Colombia, South America. Methods Archival glass slides from 17 fine needle aspiration smears were digitized employing whole slide imaging (WSI) (Nanozoomer 2.0 HT, Hamamatsu) in one Z‐plane at 40x, and panoramic digital imaging (Panoptiq system, ViewsIQ) combining low‐magnification digital maps with embedded 40x Z‐stacks of representative regions of interest. Fourteen Colombian pathologists reviewed both sets of digital images. Diagnostic concordance, time to diagnosis, image quality (scale 1–10), usefulness of Z‐stacking, and technical difficulties were recorded. Results Image quality scored by pathologists was on average 8.3 for WSI and 8.7 for panoramic images with Z‐stacks ( P = .03). However, diagnostic concordance was not impacted by image quality ranking. In the majority of cases (72.4%) pathologists deemed Z‐stacking to be diagnostically helpful. Technical issues related to Z‐stack video performance constituted only a minor proportion of technical problems reported. Slow downloads and crashing of files while viewing were mostly experienced with larger WSI files. Conclusion This study demonstrated that international telecytology for diagnostic purposes is feasible. Panoramic images had to be acquired manually, but were of suitable diagnostic quality and generated smaller image files associated with fewer technical errors. Z‐stacking proved to be useful in the majority of cases and is thus recommended for telecytology.