Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2025
Comprehensive & Cost Effective Laboratory Monitoring of HIV/AIDS: an African Role Model
Published on: October 31, 2010
T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia in Vietnam: Using microscope-to-screen videoconferencing to improve
Vanessa J Dayton1,2, Dang Hoang Thien3, Huynh Thien Ngon3
1Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center and University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, US.
Objectives:
Leukemia diagnosis in Vietnam is limited by a lack of hematopathology training and expert consultation as well as the cost of high-magnification digitization of hematology slides. Screen-sharing software allows international collaboration with experienced hematopathologists for improved diagnostic accuracy.
Methods:
A hematopathology education and consultation program was proposed for Vietnam hospitals. By appointment, pathologists in Vietnam with access to a microscope camera, imaging software, and high-speed internet were invited to review slides and data with a volunteer board-certified hematopathologist in the United States using secure videoconferencing software. A single hospital in southern Vietnam assigned a pathologist proficient in English to access this service. All consultations from this site with clinicopathologic information were logged. After a 2-year period of online consultation, case slides for selected diagnoses were reviewed under the microscope in Vietnam to assess concordance.
Results:
In total, 135 consultations were logged, 53 of which were for blood and bone marrow. T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia (T-LGLL) was 1 of the most frequent bone marrow consultation-related diagnoses; all diagnoses of this entity were confirmed by in-person microscopy (100% concordance). A records search and physician surveys found no prior documented diagnoses of T-LGLL made in Vietnam before this education and consultation program.
Conclusions:
Our virtual consultation model has improved patient care in Vietnam by providing correct diagnoses to inform best practices in treatment. As a result of our program, the first Vietnam diagnoses of T-LGLL were made and may help expand on the literature in this area. This model could provide cost-effective, real-time consultation and education services for pathologists in underserved communities.
