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Re-evaluation of challenging telepathological diagnoses in support of a hospital in Tanzania
Since 2007, a hospital in Tanzania has been supported with histopathological reports via telepathology (TP) by German pathologists. For this, the Internet-based platform iPath is used. The aim of this study was to analyse the rate of discrepancies in defined diagnostic groups. After shipment of para...
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Published in: | Journal of telemedicine and telecare 2021-04, Vol.27 (3), p.183-190 |
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Main Authors: | , , , , |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Citations: | Items that this one cites Items that cite this one |
Online Access: | Get full text |
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Summary: | Since 2007, a hospital in Tanzania has been supported with histopathological reports via telepathology (TP) by German pathologists. For this, the Internet-based platform iPath is used. The aim of this study was to analyse the rate of discrepancies in defined diagnostic groups. After shipment of paraffin-embedded tissue to Germany, specimens were processed according to recent diagnostic standards. All diagnoses were grouped into eight benign and 11 malignant main categories. The comparison comprised the following categories: 1, identical diagnosis; 2, mild discordance; 3, correct distinction between benign and malignant process, 4, false malignant; 5, false benign; and 6, no primary diagnosis possible. The cohort comprised 396 benign and 336 malignant diseases. Of the benign diseases, 62% were category 1, 23% category 2, 2% category 3, 6% category 4 and 7% category 6. Of the malignant diseases, 42% were category 1, 16% category 2, 12% category 3, 14% category 5 and 15% category 6. Exclusive support with static TP cannot meet all requirements of modern medical diagnostics. However, the project shows a approach for how pathologists in industrial countries can help low-income countries. In difficult cases, the opportunity for a final work-up using additional methods must be given for useful diagnostic purposes. |
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ISSN: | 1357-633X 1758-1109 |
DOI: | 10.1177/1357633X19866564 |