title: [Frozen section diagnosis using telepathology].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since 1992 we transfer digitalized frozen section images by means of videomicroscope and a personal computer through the public telephone network (ISDN) to the Institut of Pathology at the University Hospital in Basel. The aim of this study is to determine whether the quality of frozen section diagnosis obtained by telepathology is comparable to the conventional one.
  
  
  METHODS
  The frozen section diagnoses by telepathology from Oct. 1992 to May 1996 (n = 94) are compared to the paraffin sections performed in each case after the primary examination. The result is then compared to the well documented data of conventional frozen section diagnosis in the literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From Oct. 1992 to May 1996 we performed 94 frozen sections. In 84 cases the diagnosis was correct compared to the paraffin section (89%). The sensitivity to detect a malignant tumor was 92%, the specifity 100%. Four examinations were not conclusive and one examination had to be canceled because of technical problems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the literature, 92% of malignancy is diagnosed by conventional frozen section [1]. Telepathology gives the same result.
authors.affiliation: Chirurgische Klinik, Spital Oberengadin, Samedan.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Steffen
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gianom
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Winkler
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Hosch
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oberholzer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Famos
mesh_terms: D005629:Frozen Sections; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D019113:Telepathology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods
vernacular_title: Schnellschnittuntersuchung mittels Telepathologie.