[The suitability of digital colposcopy for telematic applications]

Since carcinoma of the cervix is one of the most common cancers in women, screening of the cervix has acquired considerable importance. Colposcopy is a simple diagnostic method of detecting suspicious changes at an early stage. Shortcomings of this method are its low specificity and high inter- and intra-observer variability. A clinical pilot study was therefore carried out to investigate the advantages of a digital colposcopic system comprising a binocular colposcope coupled to a CCD camera and a computer. The aim of the study was to evaluate the reliability of diagnostic findings of the cervix obtained with digital colposcopy in comparison with standard binocular colposcopy, and to assess its suitability for telematic applications (teleconsultation, telediagnostics, treaching). A total of 315 patients were examined and statistically analysed. The patients were first submitted to a conventional colposcopic examination and a diagnosis was established. During the colposcopic examination camera images were stored on a computer, on the basis of which a second physician experienced in colposcopy reviewed the initial diagnosis. The primary and secondary findings of each patient were classified into 4 categories and compared following the Rome classification system. Agreement between the primary and secondary diagnosis was established in 69% of the cases (kappa = 0.60 +/- 0.03). No bias was observed in terms of under- or overrating. The percentage of non-assessable colposcopic examinations was 9.2%. Digital colposcopy is therefore suitable for reproducing diagnostic findings on the computer, given adequate digital image quality and a suitable classification model. The method has clear advantages with regard to follow-up, internal quality control of the diagnosis, and the training and further education of physicians and students. In the future, telecolposcopy may open up new opportunities in gynaecology.