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Utilizing Whole Slide Images for Pathology Peer Review and Working Groups
David E Malarkey1, Gabrielle A Willson2, Cynthia J Willson3
1Cellular and Molecular Pathology Branch, National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA malarkey@niehs.nih.gov.
Toxicologic Pathology
|October 30, 2015
Summary
Digital whole slide images (WSIs) show diagnostic equivalence to traditional glass slides in pathology peer review. While WSIs are effective, glass slides may be better for subtle or complex tissue lesions.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Pathology
- Digital Pathology
Background:
- The National Toxicology Program (NTP) peer reviews tissue diagnoses.
- Traditionally, glass microscope slides are used for these reviews.
- Digital pathology offers potential for remote review and data analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the diagnostic accuracy and concordance of whole slide images (WSIs) versus traditional glass slides.
- To assess the utility of WSIs in pathology working group (PWG) reviews.
- To gather pathologist feedback on the use of WSIs for tissue diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Data collected from 6 pathology working groups (PWGs) and 1 pathology peer review.
- Pathologists reviewed tissues using both WSIs and glass slides.
- Survey comments from over 25 participating pathologists were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Overall diagnostic evaluation of WSIs was found to be generally equivalent to glass slides.
- Concordance of PWG consensus diagnoses ranged from 74% to 100% (median 86%).
- Intra- and interobserver variation did not impact study conclusions.
Conclusions:
- WSIs can effectively achieve the objectives of conventional glass slide review.
- WSIs serve as a useful adjunct for pathology working group reviews.
- Glass slides may be preferred for evaluating subtle, complex, or small lesions in large tissue sections.
