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International Journal of Biomedical Science
4(1) 64-69
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© 2005 Master Publishing Group
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Original Article
[FullText]
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Inter- and Intra-Observer Concordance of Cyberpathology in Twenty-Five Cases |
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Tommy R. Tong1, Kam-cheong Lee1, Olivia Wai-hing Chan2,
Ka-leung Au1, Wilson Man-shan Tsui3, Genevieve M. Learmonth4,
Kelvin Ying-wai Leung1, Cecilia Siu-nga Wong1, Jessica Pik-man Lam1
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1 Department of Pathology, Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong
2 Department of Pathology, Alice Ho Miu-ling Nethersole Hospital, Hong Kong
3 Department of Pathology, Caritas Medical Centre, Hong Kong
4 Department of Pathology, Groote Schuur Hospital, and University of Cape Town, South Africa
Corresponding Author: Tommy R. Tong, AW Pathology Medical Group, 1700 ´C´ Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301. Tel: (661) 889-8218; Fax: (661) 885-5297; E-mail: tommy.tong@yahoo.com.
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cyberpathology, telecytology, telepathology, internet |
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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.
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