Telepathology as an aid in mohs micrographic surgery.
BACKGROUND
Mohs surgeons are occasionally confronted by challenging pathology ideally requiring the advice of a dermatopathologist. The Internet transmission of digital images of the pathology (telepathology) allows for such opinions to be easily and rapidly obtained.


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to obtain images utilizing a digital camera focused directly through one microscope eyepiece with subsequent e-mail to a pathologist for an immediate opinion.


METHODS
The particular area of interest on the slide is selected. The lens of the digital camera is placed directly on one eyepiece of the microscope and using the zoom and autofocus options of the camera a sharp image is obtained. The camera flash must be disabled. The images are immediately downloaded to computer and e-mailed to the pathologist for an opinion.


RESULTS
Three case reports illustrate that the pathologist is able to offer suggestions on a diagnosis with a high degree of confidence using the e-mailed images.


CONCLUSIONS
Digital camera technology now allows for images to be taken directly through an eyepiece of the microscope. These images can be almost instantaneously e-mailed to a pathologist anywhere in the world for an immediate opinion. The technique provides for greater surety where doubt exists about the pathology during Mohs surgery.
Chandra
Suresh
S
Dermatology Surgery and Laser Center, South Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Elliott
Timothy
T
Vinciullo
Carl
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004431:Ear, External; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D020407:Internet; D008046:Lip; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015580:Mohs Surgery / Q000379:methods; D009666:Nose; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D019113:Telepathology / Q000379:methods*