Remote cytological diagnosis of salivary gland lesions by means of precaptured videos

• Published in: Journal of the American Society of Cytopathology JASC 2021-07, Vol.10 (4), p.435-443
• Main Authors: Archondakis, Stavros, Roma, Maria, Kaladelfou, Evropi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenolymphoma - diagnosis; Adenolymphoma - pathology; Adenoma, Pleomorphic - diagnosis; Adenoma, Pleomorphic - pathology; Biopsy, Fine-Needle - methods; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic - diagnosis; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic - pathology; Fine needle aspiration; Humans; Pathologists - psychology; Quality control; Registries; Remote Consultation - methods; Retrospective Studies; Salivary Gland Neoplasms - diagnosis; Salivary Gland Neoplasms - pathology; Salivary glands; Salivary Glands - pathology; Telecytology; Telemedicine; Telepathology - methods; Video Recording - methods
• ISSN: 2213-2945; 2213-2945
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jasc.2021.02.003

The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of implementing videos captured by static telecytological applications for remote cytological diagnosis of fine needle aspiration (FNA) specimens from salivary gland lesions. The current study was performed on 102 specimens from patients referred to the Alpha Prolipsis Cytopathology Department for preoperative evaluation of salivary gland lesions. In all cases, surgical excision followed the initial cytological diagnosis. (benign lesions, 11; benign neoplasms, 68; malignant neoplasms, 23). Videos were transferred via file transfer protocol to password-protected accounts for remote review by three independent cytopathologists. In addition to diagnosis, reviewers commented on overall digital video quality. Contributor’s and reviewer’s diagnoses were collected, recorded and statistically evaluated. Statistical evaluation of cytological diagnoses detected no significant difference in diagnostic accuracy between the diagnoses proffered on the basis of precaptured videos and conventional slides. The overall interobserver agreement was ranging from substantial to almost perfect with κ values of 0.71-0.89. Videos production by static telecytology applications can be used as an alternative method for telecytological diagnosis of salivary glands FNAs. Videos of salivary glands FNAs can be used for accurate diagnosis, educational and second opinion purposes,. They can also be used for archiving, teleconsultation and educational purposes, improving the performance of the already existing static telecytology stations and small cytology departments’ quality indices.