Instant messenger smartphone application for endosonographer/cytopathologist real-time interaction at a distance in EUS-FNA for solid pancreatic lesions
Background and study aims Telecytopathology (TCP) may allow proper and timely evaluation of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) specimens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of TC through a multiplatform instant messenger smartphone application to evaluat...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Georg Thieme Verlag KG
2019-08-01
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| Series: | Endoscopy International Open |
| Online Access: | http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.1055/a-0965-6631 |
| Summary: | Background and study aims Telecytopathology (TCP) may allow proper and timely evaluation of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) specimens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of TC through a multiplatform instant messenger smartphone application to evaluate specimens of EUS-FNA of pancreatic solid lesions.
Patients and methods Twenty-three patients (14 male/9 female; median age: 56 yr.; age range: 33 – 86) with a solid pancreatic lesion were included. Exclusion criteria were as follows: age < 18 yr and predominantly cystic lesions. During each EUS-FNA, after each pass, the aspirated material was spread over a glass slide and was stained by the endoscopist. The glass slide was then reviewed on a microscope with a smartphone fitted in, and the most representative fields were captured and sent to the cytopathologist using WhatsApp Messenger.
Results In initial evaluation using TCP rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE), adequate cellularity of the glass slide was detected in 16 of 23 patients (69.6 %). An initial diagnosis of malignancy (positive or suspicious) was possible in 14 of 23 patients (60.8 %).
Conclusion The current study demonstrated the feasibility of a low-cost, Internet-based, telecytopathology system using WhatsApp Messenger to provide ROSE of EUS-FNA slides in patients with solid pancreatic lesions. |
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| ISSN: | 2364-3722 2196-9736 |