title: Telepathology. Long-distance diagnosis.
abstract: Telepathology is defined as the practice of pathology at a distance, by visualizing an image on a video monitor rather than viewing a specimen directly through a microscope. Components of a telepathology system include the following: (1) a workstation equipped with a high-resolution video camera attached to a remote-controlled light microscope; (2) a pathologist workstation incorporating controls for manipulating the robotic microscope as well as a high-resolution video monitor; and (3) a telecommunications link. Progress has been made in designing and constructing telepathology workstations and fully motorized, computer-controlled light microscopes suitable for telepathology. In addition, components such as video signal digital encoders and decoders that produce remarkably stable, high-color fidelity, and high-resolution images have been incorporated into the workstations. Resolution requirements for the video microscopy component of telepathology have been formally examined in receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. Test-of-concept demonstrations have been completed with the use of geostationary satellites as the broadband communication linkages for 750-line resolution video. Potential benefits of telepathology include providing a means of conveniently delivering pathology services in real-time to remote sites or underserviced areas, time-sharing of pathologists' services by multiple institutions, and increasing accessibility to specialty pathologists.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60612.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Weinstein
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Bloom
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Rozek
mesh_terms: D003195:Computer Communication Networks; D003199:Computer Systems; D003933:Diagnosis; D007089:Image Enhancement; D010336:Pathology / Q000379:methods*; D013690:Television