WhatsApp is an effective tool for obtaining second opinion in oral pathology practice

Area of Science:

• Oral Pathology
• Digital Pathology
• Medical Informatics

Background:

• Histopathological diagnosis in oral pathology is crucial for patient care.
• Obtaining a second opinion (SOD) can improve diagnostic accuracy.
• Traditional methods for SOD can be time-consuming and resource-intensive.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of the WhatsApp application for obtaining second opinions on histopathological diagnoses in oral pathology.
• To assess the accuracy and convenience of using smartphone-captured photomicrographs transmitted via WhatsApp for diagnostic consultation.

Main Methods:

• 247 oral pathology cases (34 types) were photographed using smartphone cameras attached to compound microscopes.
• Photomicrographs were sent to 20 oral pathologists for second opinion diagnosis (SOD) via WhatsApp.
• The accuracy of SOD and the time taken for consultation were analyzed.

Main Results:

• A high overall accuracy of 98.22% for correct SOD was achieved from 4795 consultations.
• 100% accuracy was reported for specific lesions like adenomatoid odontogenic tumor and dentigerous cyst.
• A positive correlation was found between correct SOD and the pathologist's age and experience; consultation time averaged 81.98–90.72 minutes.

Conclusions:

• Smartphone cameras are effective tools for capturing microscopic images for diagnostic purposes.
• Utilizing WhatsApp for transmitting these images is a convenient and effective method for obtaining expert second opinions in oral pathology.
• This digital approach enhances accessibility and efficiency in histopathological diagnosis.