Online Internet-based robotic telepathology in the diagnosis of neuro-oncology cases: a teleneuropathology feasibility study.

This feasibility study examined the diagnostic accuracy of Internet-based dynamic-robotic telepathology using neuropathology cases. Randomly, 83 cases were selected from the routine diagnostic workload of the Neurosurgical Pathology Laboratory in Poznan, Poland. Telepathology diagnoses were compared with conventional paraffin section diagnosis. The neuropathologists, operating a robotically controlled motorized microscope over the Internet from 3 different Polish cities, individually reviewed the cases using computer workstations. Viewing times ranged from 2 minutes 54 seconds to 32 minutes 12 seconds per case. The mean diagnostic accuracy for telepathology diagnosis was 95%, with 2 of 3 observers achieving 100% diagnostic accuracy. Image quality was judged to be sufficient for correct evaluation, and the viewing times required to establish a final diagnosis by remote video microscopy were acceptable. Generally, user acceptance of robotic telepathology was high. Copyright 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company