[1356] Digital Imaging and Its Applications for Cytopathology at a Large Academic Multi-Institutional Center

WE Khalbuss, AV Parwani. UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA

Background: Digital pathology is increasingly being used in cytopathology practices. We provide our experience in the various practical uses as it relates to digital images such as whole slide imaging for cytopathology practice. We also discuss the logistical and technical concerns for implementing such technologies.
Design: Static snapshot images are captured at microscopes workstations. SPOT Insight digital cameras capture both microscopic images at more than thirty locations at six different locations. These static images can be integrated into our APLIS (CoPath Plus).The Zeiss and Aperio Scanscope scanners are used to scan entire whole slides. With capture, image file sizes are approximately 2.7 GB. Conferences use telepathology through webcast or transmission with the Tandberg video system. On site evaluation in fine needle aspiration can be made remotely through robotic means via robotic microscopy.
Results: Thousands of static images have been captured, using 70 GB of server storage space. Static images are used for teaching, CPC conferences, publications, image-enhanced reporting, and consultation. We have a repository of hundreds of whole slide images; categorized and available through a centralized web-based portal. Selected whole slide images can be accessed remotely by residents and fellow for weekly unknown conferences. Pap smears with potential cervical cytology risk management and false negative and false positive non-gynecological cytology cases can now made available for educational reviews as virtual microscopic slides. Telepathology has been integral to our educational conferences given our institutional geography. Conferences are video recorded with live broadcasts which permit remote attendance via the internet. More than 1000 conferences have been archived since 2002. Robotic telepathology is being used by cytopathologists for on site evaluation of fine needle aspirates.
Conclusions: Digital pathology has been successfully used in cytopathology for teaching, CPC conferences, QA/QC, publications, image-enhanced reporting, consultation, retrospective case review, and remote FNA evaluations. Future goals and development in digital pathology include image capture and image analysis especially with immunohistochemistry and FISH.
Category: Informatics

Wednesday, March 11, 2009 9:30 AM

Poster Session V # 214, Wednesday Morning