Real-time teleneuropathology for a second opinion of neurooncological cases

Abstract

A teleneuropathology system directed by Java programs through a standard Internet browser was evaluated in the present study. Assessment of neurooncological cases was done by remote microscope through the "Case Study" Web page at the Department of Pathology Web site (http:¿ampat.amu.edu.pl). The site was used to control a remote automatic microscope, the Axioplan 2 (Zeiss), which was connected to a computer that acts as an Internet server. The Java program for the control of the microscope server is automatically downloaded and started if the user selects the Web site of the corresponding microscope server. The microscope server receives microscope operation commands from the telemicroscopy clients, executes them, and distributes the new microscope image to all of the connected telemicroscopy clients. Fifteen cases were evaluated over several weeks. The percentage of correctly classified cases sent by remote consultation was 100%. Since the system does not require specialized software for the remote side and since the number of possible discussion partners is unlimited, this system may help to overcome obstacles to the practice of teleneuropathology.