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TELEPATHOLOGY
Telepathology is the use of telecommunication technologies to
transmit digitized histological or macroscopic images between remote locations
for diagnostic, prognostic, quality control, research and continuing education
purposes.1 2
Telepathology is practised in two forms:
- Interdisciplinary telepathology which involves a
pathologist and another specialist (e.g. a radiologist)
- Expert teleconsultations, which is usually between
two pathologists.
Although applicable to all areas of pathology, telepathology’s
main application has been in the area of histopathology. A histopathology
system is made up a CCD or digital camera attached to a microscope with a
computer (which should be able to connect to the Internet, have a good graphics
card and software to manage the images).3
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The above is a description of a simple telepathology system,
which can either be static, dynamic or hybrid.4
-
Static Telepathology Systems:
This involves the viewing of images that have been captured by a digitising
program at the transmitting end. These images are usually compressed, stored
and then transmitted electronically to a consultant.
-
Dynamic Telepathology Systems:
This requires remotely controlled robotic microscopes and high-speed
communication networks. The pathologist at the receiving end can move the slide
and can a complete view of the tissue. The images transmitted are usually of
high quality and tend to be what the receiving end pathologist wants to view,
rather than having the transmitting end deciding which images to transmit.
-
Hybrid Telepathology Systems: This
combines both static and dynamic telepathology. The dynamic part allows the
pathologist to select a slide to view, which the static portion allows for the
storing, editing and digitizing of the images.
Whatever the telepathology system being employed, its
importance in patient management is underlined by the fact that it allows for
faster diagnosis and consultations by remotely located pathologists.
References
-
Kayser, Klaus.; Kayser, Gian.; Zink, Stefan. [WWW] New
technical aspects in telepathology.
http://ampat.amu.edu.pl/czasopis/ejp6-3/003-03.html (25TH
September 2003).
-
Mea, Della V. [WWW] Store-and-forward Telepathology.
http://www.telemed.uniud.it/FVG/telstat.html (25TH
September 2003).
-
Lee, E. S.; et al. Practical telepathology using a digital
camera and the Internet. Telemed J E Health.
2002 Summer;(8):159-65.
-
Department of Veterans Affairs. [WWW] Types of Telepathology.
http://www.va.gov/telepathvisn6/Types.htm (25TH September
2003).
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