Intra-observer reproducibility of whole slide imaging for the primary diagnosis of breast needle biopsies

Background: Automated whole slide imaging (WSI), also known as virtual microscopy is rapidly becoming an important tool in diagnostic pathology. Currently, the primary utilization of the technique is for transmission of digital images, for second opinion consultation, as well as for quality assuranc...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Carolina Reyes, Offiong F Ikpatt, Mehrdad Nadji, Richard J Cote
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2014-01-01
Series:Journal of Pathology Informatics
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.jpathinformatics.org/article.asp?issn=2153-3539;year=2014;volume=5;issue=1;spage=5;epage=5;aulast=Reyes
_version_ 1818264882029527040
author Carolina Reyes
Offiong F Ikpatt
Mehrdad Nadji
Richard J Cote
author_facet Carolina Reyes
Offiong F Ikpatt
Mehrdad Nadji
Richard J Cote
author_sort Carolina Reyes
collection DOAJ
description Background: Automated whole slide imaging (WSI), also known as virtual microscopy is rapidly becoming an important tool in diagnostic pathology. Currently, the primary utilization of the technique is for transmission of digital images, for second opinion consultation, as well as for quality assurance and education. The high-resolution of digital images along with the refinement of technology could now allow for WSI to be used as an alternative to conventional microscopy (CM) as a first line diagnostic platform. However, the accuracy and reproducibility of the technology for the routine histopathologic diagnosis has not been established yet. This study was undertaken to compare the intra-observer variability of WSI and CM in the primary diagnosis of breast biopsies. Materials and Methods: One hundred and three consecutive core needle biopsies of breast were selected for this study. Each slide was digitally scanned and the images were stored in a shared file. Three board-certified pathologists independently reviewed the glass slides by CM first, and in an interval of 2-3 weeks for the 2nd time to establish their baseline CM versus CM reproducibility. They then reviewed the digital images of all cases following the same interval of time to compare the reproducibility of WSI versus CM for each observer. The diagnostic categories included the typical range of benign and malignant mammary lesions. Results: The intra-observer variability for CM versus CM was 4%, 7%, and 0% for observers 1, 2, and 3 respectively. The diagnostic variability for WSI versus CM was 1%, 4%, and 1% for the same observers. All diagnostic disagreements were between ductal hyperplasia and atypical ductal hyperplasia. There was no intra-observer disagreement in the diagnosis of benign versus malignant disease. Conclusions: The intra-observer variability in the diagnosis of the core needle biopsies of the breast by high-resolution, WSI was the same as conventional glass slide microscopy. These results suggest that, WSI could be used similar to CM for the initial diagnosis of breast biopsies.
first_indexed 2024-12-12T19:41:58Z
format Article
id doaj.art-650f726018e44971b1c092133e7c99cf
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2153-3539
language English
last_indexed 2024-12-12T19:41:58Z
publishDate 2014-01-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Journal of Pathology Informatics
spelling doaj.art-650f726018e44971b1c092133e7c99cf2022-12-22T00:14:11ZengElsevierJournal of Pathology Informatics2153-35392014-01-01515510.4103/2153-3539.127814Intra-observer reproducibility of whole slide imaging for the primary diagnosis of breast needle biopsiesCarolina ReyesOffiong F IkpattMehrdad NadjiRichard J CoteBackground: Automated whole slide imaging (WSI), also known as virtual microscopy is rapidly becoming an important tool in diagnostic pathology. Currently, the primary utilization of the technique is for transmission of digital images, for second opinion consultation, as well as for quality assurance and education. The high-resolution of digital images along with the refinement of technology could now allow for WSI to be used as an alternative to conventional microscopy (CM) as a first line diagnostic platform. However, the accuracy and reproducibility of the technology for the routine histopathologic diagnosis has not been established yet. This study was undertaken to compare the intra-observer variability of WSI and CM in the primary diagnosis of breast biopsies. Materials and Methods: One hundred and three consecutive core needle biopsies of breast were selected for this study. Each slide was digitally scanned and the images were stored in a shared file. Three board-certified pathologists independently reviewed the glass slides by CM first, and in an interval of 2-3 weeks for the 2nd time to establish their baseline CM versus CM reproducibility. They then reviewed the digital images of all cases following the same interval of time to compare the reproducibility of WSI versus CM for each observer. The diagnostic categories included the typical range of benign and malignant mammary lesions. Results: The intra-observer variability for CM versus CM was 4%, 7%, and 0% for observers 1, 2, and 3 respectively. The diagnostic variability for WSI versus CM was 1%, 4%, and 1% for the same observers. All diagnostic disagreements were between ductal hyperplasia and atypical ductal hyperplasia. There was no intra-observer disagreement in the diagnosis of benign versus malignant disease. Conclusions: The intra-observer variability in the diagnosis of the core needle biopsies of the breast by high-resolution, WSI was the same as conventional glass slide microscopy. These results suggest that, WSI could be used similar to CM for the initial diagnosis of breast biopsies.http://www.jpathinformatics.org/article.asp?issn=2153-3539;year=2014;volume=5;issue=1;spage=5;epage=5;aulast=ReyesBreast biopsy, digital microscopy, reproducibility, whole slide imaging
spellingShingle Carolina Reyes
Offiong F Ikpatt
Mehrdad Nadji
Richard J Cote
Intra-observer reproducibility of whole slide imaging for the primary diagnosis of breast needle biopsies
Journal of Pathology Informatics
Breast biopsy, digital microscopy, reproducibility, whole slide imaging
title Intra-observer reproducibility of whole slide imaging for the primary diagnosis of breast needle biopsies
title_full Intra-observer reproducibility of whole slide imaging for the primary diagnosis of breast needle biopsies
title_fullStr Intra-observer reproducibility of whole slide imaging for the primary diagnosis of breast needle biopsies
title_full_unstemmed Intra-observer reproducibility of whole slide imaging for the primary diagnosis of breast needle biopsies
title_short Intra-observer reproducibility of whole slide imaging for the primary diagnosis of breast needle biopsies
title_sort intra observer reproducibility of whole slide imaging for the primary diagnosis of breast needle biopsies
topic Breast biopsy, digital microscopy, reproducibility, whole slide imaging
url http://www.jpathinformatics.org/article.asp?issn=2153-3539;year=2014;volume=5;issue=1;spage=5;epage=5;aulast=Reyes
work_keys_str_mv AT carolinareyes intraobserverreproducibilityofwholeslideimagingfortheprimarydiagnosisofbreastneedlebiopsies
AT offiongfikpatt intraobserverreproducibilityofwholeslideimagingfortheprimarydiagnosisofbreastneedlebiopsies
AT mehrdadnadji intraobserverreproducibilityofwholeslideimagingfortheprimarydiagnosisofbreastneedlebiopsies
AT richardjcote intraobserverreproducibilityofwholeslideimagingfortheprimarydiagnosisofbreastneedlebiopsies