Telepathology - applications of an emerging technology

Due to the development of modem telecommunication by means of high speed data transfer either by normal telephone lines or the internet we are faced with new possibilities and chances in pathology. Instead of mailing slides, today images can be transferred electronically within seconds around the world, a second opinion of a highly skilled specialist can be available within the same day or even the same hour. Beside teleconsultation, telediagnostics is the most sophisticated application of telepathology. This means the evaluation of freshly prepared cryosections obtained during surgery by a pathologist using a remotely controlled microscope in a location deprived of pathological expertise. Since the technology applied has become very reliable, problems encountered by using this technology are mainly caused by either microscopic or macroscopic sampling errors. A correct diagnosis can not be obtained if the images mailed are not containing the necessary information. The same is true for telediadiagnostics, if the biopsy taken for cryosection does not contain the relevant lesion, a correct diagnosis will not be possible. However, these problems are not specific for telepathology, but are encountered in routinely processed specimens as well. Thus, protocols need to be developed assuring sufficient and reproducible image sampling for teleconsultation.