[Feasibilities of cytological diagnosis in the static telepathology mode]

Results of cytological diagnosis in the static telepathology mode are analyzed. Three expert cytologists made the diagnosis on the basis of images of cytological preparations obtained from 94 patients with tumors of soft tissues and bones. A total of 113 diagnoses were correct: benign or malignant type of the tumor and its histological type were identified. In general, a total of 152 (88.9%) diagnoses were correct as regards their significance for treatment strategy. Errors classified as groups 3 and 4 were the most significant (erroneous assessment of tumor type--benign or malignant--in 6.4% cases). Analysis of discrepancies between cytological and pathoanatomical diagnoses and data of routine optic microscopy of similar cytological preparations of the same material (bone and soft tissue tumors) showed the same value: 6.8% of cytological and pathoanatomical diagnoses were at disagreement (groups 3 and 4 of errors). Therefore, telepathology can be resorted to for consultations and discussion of obscure cases. It is particularly important for a morphologist to discuss complex cases by means of telepathology at a specialized institution, distant from him or her.