title: Inter- and intra-observer concordance of cyberpathology in twenty-five cases.
abstract: To study the feasibility of anatomical pathology consultation in cyberspace (cyberpathology) and to determine inter- and intra-observer concordance. Twenty-five consecutive cytology and histopathology cases are photographed using a digital camera placed against the eyepiece, and uploaded to an image-server in the Internet. Participants view the images, rate their confidence, and provide a diagnosis. They then view the original glass slides and provide a final diagnosis. The diagnoses are compared for inter- and intra-observer concordance. Participants are confident of their diagnoses based on viewing images on the Internet. The intra-observer concordance exceeds 95% individually, and 96% overall. Inter-observer concordance was 100% in a subset of cases. Cyberpathology as described is both available and affordable and is a valid alternative to slide-based anatomic pathology consultation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong, China;
authors.forename: Tommy R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.forename: Kam-Cheong
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Olivia Wai-Hing
authors.initials: OW
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Ka-Leung
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Au
authors.forename: Wilson Man-Shan
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Tsui
authors.forename: Genevieve M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Learmonth
authors.forename: Kelvin Ying-Wai
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Cecilia Siu-Nga
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Jessica Pik-Man
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Lam
keywords: cyberpathology; internet; telecytology; telepathology