title: Telepathology in cytopathology: challenges and opportunities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Telepathology in cytopathology is becoming more commonly utilized, and newer technologic infrastructures afford the laboratory a variety of options. The options and design of a telepathology system are driven by the clinical needs. This is primarily focused on providing rapid on-site evaluation service for fine needle aspiration.
  
  
  METHODS
  The clinical requirements and needs of a system are described. Available tools to design and implement a telepathology system are covered, including methods of image capture, network connectivity and remote viewing options.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The primary telepathology method currently used and described involves the delivery via a network connection of a live video image to a remote site which is passively viewed by an internet web-based browser. By utilizing live video information and a voice connection to the on-site location, the remote viewer can collect clinical information and direct their view of the slides.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Telepathology systems for use in cytopathology can be designed and implemented with commercially available infrastructure. It is necessary for the laboratory to validate the designed system and adhere to the required regulatory requirements. Telepathology for cytopathology can be reliably utilized by adapting existing technology, and newer advances hold great promise for further applications in the cytopathology laboratory.
authors: Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, Mo. 63110-1093, USA. bcollins@path.wustl.edu
authors: Brian T
authors: BT
authors: Collins
mesh_terms: D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000592:standards; D003201:Computers; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval; D020407:Internet; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D019113:Telepathology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D057188:Workflow