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Davidson TM, Rendi MH, Frederick PD, Onega T, Allison KH, Mercan E, Brunyé TT, Shapiro LG, Weaver DL, Elmore JG. Breast Cancer Prognostic Factors in the Digital Era: Comparison of Nottingham Grade using Whole Slide Images and Glass Slides. J Pathol Inform 2019; 10:11. [PMID: 31057980 PMCID: PMC6489380 DOI: 10.4103/jpi.jpi_29_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: To assess reproducibility and accuracy of overall Nottingham grade and component scores using digital whole slide images (WSIs) compared to glass slides. Methods: Two hundred and eight pathologists were randomized to independently interpret 1 of 4 breast biopsy sets using either glass slides or digital WSI. Each set included 5 or 6 invasive carcinomas (22 total invasive cases). Participants interpreted the same biopsy set approximately 9 months later following a second randomization to WSI or glass slides. Nottingham grade, including component scores, was assessed on each interpretation, providing 2045 independent interpretations of grade. Overall grade and component scores were compared between pathologists (interobserver agreement) and for interpretations by the same pathologist (intraobserver agreement). Grade assessments were compared when the format (WSI vs. glass slides) changed or was the same for the two interpretations. Results: Nottingham grade intraobserver agreement was highest using glass slides for both interpretations (73%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 68%, 78%) and slightly lower but not statistically different using digital WSI for both interpretations (68%, 95% CI: 61%, 75%; P= 0.22). The agreement was lowest when the format changed between interpretations (63%, 95% CI: 59%, 68%). Interobserver agreement was significantly higher (P < 0.001) using glass slides versus digital WSI (68%, 95% CI: 66%, 70% versus 60%, 95% CI: 57%, 62%, respectively). Nuclear pleomorphism scores had the lowest inter- and intra-observer agreement. Mitotic scores were higher on glass slides in inter- and intra-observer comparisons. Conclusions: Pathologists’ intraobserver agreement (reproducibility) is similar for Nottingham grade using glass slides or WSI. However, slightly lower agreement between pathologists suggests that verification of grade using digital WSI may be more challenging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara M Davidson
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Mara H Rendi
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Paul D Frederick
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Tracy Onega
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine, The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Kimberly H Allison
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ezgi Mercan
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Tad T Brunyé
- Department of Psychology, School of Arts and Sciences, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
| | - Linda G Shapiro
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Donald L Weaver
- Department of Pathology, University of Vermont Cancer Center, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Joann G Elmore
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Taylor L, Hood K, Reisch L, Elmore J, Piepkorn M, Barnhill R, Knezevich S, Radick A, Elder D. Influence of variability in assessment of Breslow thickness, mitotic rate and ulceration among US pathologists interpreting invasive melanoma, for the purpose of AJCC staging. J Cutan Pathol 2018; 45:588-596. [PMID: 29717800 DOI: 10.1111/cup.13265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melanoma staging has depended on depth of invasion (Breslow thickness, BT), mitotic rate (MR) and ulceration. In anticipation of the AJCC's eighth edition, variability in pathologists' assessment of these factors and consequently in tumor staging was assessed. METHODS One-hundred and fifteen cases of invasive melanoma, established by a consensus panel, were assessed by 187 pathologists. Variation was studied in BT, the detection of mitotic figures, and ulceration. The sources of this variation and its effect on tumor staging are considered. RESULTS On average, participant assessments closely approached consensus BT. Greater variation was identified in the classification of mitogenicity, which (like ulceration) upstages a T1 melanoma from T1a to T1b in the seventh but not eighth edition. In cases with a T1a diagnosis by the consensus panel, 15.6% of participants identified one or more mitotic figures (indicative of a false positive); and in cases diagnosed asT1b by the consensus panel, 32.0% of participants failed to find mitotic figures (false negative). CONCLUSION Variability in the staging of T1 melanoma among pathologists when using the AJCC seventh edition criteria is closely related to the detection of mitotic figures, with BT playing a less prominent role. Decreased variability is expected after implementation of the eighth edition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Taylor
- Department of Dermatology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Kyle Hood
- Bureau of Economic Analysis, Suitland, Maryland
| | - Lisa Reisch
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - Joann Elmore
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Michael Piepkorn
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington.,Dermatopathology Northwest, Bellevue, Washington
| | - Raymond Barnhill
- Department of Pathology, Institut Curie Paris Sciences and Lettres Research University, and Faculty of Medicine University of Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | | | - Andrea Radick
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington
| | - David Elder
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Villa I, Mathieu MC, Bosq J, Auperin A, Pomerol JF, Lacroix-Triki M, Scoazec JY, Dartigues P. Daily Biopsy Diagnosis in Surgical Pathology: Concordance Between Light Microscopy and Whole-Slide Imaging in Real-Life Conditions. Am J Clin Pathol 2018; 149:344-351. [PMID: 29452345 DOI: 10.1093/ajcp/aqx161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The current challenge for the various digital whole-slide imaging (WSI) systems is to be definitively validated for diagnostic purposes. We designed a concordance study between glass slide and digital slide diagnosis in real-life conditions, coupled with an ergonomic study. METHODS Three senior pathologists evaluated, first in glass slides and then in digital slides, 119 biopsy cases, including 749 slides, with 332 H&E saffron stains and 417 additional techniques, mainly immunohistochemistry. RESULTS All digital slides, including specially stained slides, were interpretable. Concordance between glass slides and digital slides was observed in 87.4% of cases. Minor discordances were observed in 12 (10.1%) cases and major discordances, with therapeutic impact, in three (2.5%), including one related to WSI. The satisfaction of participants was high and increased with time. CONCLUSIONS Our study confirms the feasibility and accuracy of WSI diagnosis, even for cases having multiple samples and requiring special staining techniques, such as immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irène Villa
- Département de Biologie et Pathologie Médicales, Service de Pathologie Morphologique, Villejuif, France
| | - Marie-Christine Mathieu
- Département de Biologie et Pathologie Médicales, Service de Pathologie Morphologique, Villejuif, France
| | - Jacques Bosq
- Département de Biologie et Pathologie Médicales, Service de Pathologie Morphologique, Villejuif, France
| | - Anne Auperin
- Service de Biostatistique et d’Epidémiologie, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France
| | | | - Magali Lacroix-Triki
- Département de Biologie et Pathologie Médicales, Service de Pathologie Morphologique, Villejuif, France
| | - Jean-Yves Scoazec
- Département de Biologie et Pathologie Médicales, Service de Pathologie Morphologique, Villejuif, France
- Faculté de Médecine de Bicêtre, Université Paris Saclay, Université Paris Sud XI, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Peggy Dartigues
- Département de Biologie et Pathologie Médicales, Service de Pathologie Morphologique, Villejuif, France
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Geller BM, Nelson HD, Weaver DL, Frederick PD, Allison KH, Onega T, Carney PA, Tosteson ANA, Elmore JG. Characteristics associated with requests by pathologists for second opinions on breast biopsies. J Clin Pathol 2017; 70:947-953. [PMID: 28465449 PMCID: PMC5849252 DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2016-204231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Revised: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Second opinions in pathology improve patient safety by reducing diagnostic errors, leading to more appropriate clinical treatment decisions. Little objective data are available regarding the factors triggering a request for second opinion despite second opinion consultations being part of the diagnostic system of pathology. Therefore we sought to assess breast biopsy cases and interpreting pathologists characteristics associated with second opinion requests. METHODS Collected pathologist surveys and their interpretations of 60 test set cases were used to explore the relationships between case characteristics, pathologist characteristics and case perceptions, and requests for second opinions. Data were evaluated by logistic regression and generalised estimating equations. RESULTS 115 pathologists provided 6900 assessments; pathologists requested second opinions on 70% (4827/6900) of their assessments 36% (1731/4827) of these would not have been required by policy. All associations between case characteristics and requesting second opinions were statistically significant, including diagnostic category, breast density, biopsy type, and number of diagnoses noted per case. Exclusive of institutional policies, pathologists wanted second opinions most frequently for atypia (66%) and least frequently for invasive cancer (20%). Second opinion rates were higher when the pathologist had lower assessment confidence, in cases with higher perceived difficulty, and cases with borderline diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS Pathologists request second opinions for challenging cases, particularly those with atypia, high breast density, core needle biopsies, or many co-existing diagnoses. Further studies should evaluate whether the case characteristics identified in this study could be used as clinical criteria to prompt system-level strategies for mandating second opinions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berta M Geller
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Heidi D Nelson
- Departments of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology and Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University; and Providence Cancer Center, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Donald L Weaver
- Department of Pathology, University of Vermont and UVM Cancer Center, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Paul D Frederick
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Kimberly H Allison
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Tracy Onega
- Departments of Biomedical Data Science and Epidemiology, Norris Cotton Cancer Center and The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Patricia A Carney
- Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Anna N A Tosteson
- Norris Cotton Cancer Center and The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Joann G Elmore
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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5
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Jackson SL, Frederick PD, Pepe MS, Nelson HD, Weaver DL, Allison KH, Carney PA, Geller BM, Tosteson ANA, Onega T, Elmore JG. Diagnostic Reproducibility: What Happens When the Same Pathologist Interprets the Same Breast Biopsy Specimen at Two Points in Time? Ann Surg Oncol 2017; 24:1234-1241. [PMID: 27913946 PMCID: PMC5538724 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-016-5695-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Surgeons may receive a different diagnosis when a breast biopsy is interpreted by a second pathologist. The extent to which diagnostic agreement by the same pathologist varies at two time points is unknown. METHODS Pathologists from eight U.S. states independently interpreted 60 breast specimens, one glass slide per case, on two occasions separated by ≥9 months. Reproducibility was assessed by comparing interpretations between the two time points; associations between reproducibility (intraobserver agreement rates); and characteristics of pathologists and cases were determined and also compared with interobserver agreement of baseline interpretations. RESULTS Sixty-five percent of invited, responding pathologists were eligible and consented; 49 interpreted glass slides in both study phases, resulting in 2940 interpretations. Intraobserver agreement rates between the two phases were 92% [95% confidence interval (CI) 88-95] for invasive breast cancer, 84% (95% CI 81-87) for ductal carcinoma-in-situ, 53% (95% CI 47-59) for atypia, and 84% (95% CI 81-86) for benign without atypia. When comparing all study participants' case interpretations at baseline, interobserver agreement rates were 89% (95% CI 84-92) for invasive cancer, 79% (95% CI 76-81) for ductal carcinoma-in-situ, 43% (95% CI 41-45) for atypia, and 77% (95% CI 74-79) for benign without atypia. CONCLUSIONS Interpretive agreement between two time points by the same individual pathologist was low for atypia and was similar to observed rates of agreement for atypia between different pathologists. Physicians and patients should be aware of the diagnostic challenges associated with a breast biopsy diagnosis of atypia when considering treatment and surveillance decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara L Jackson
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Paul D Frederick
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Margaret S Pepe
- Program in Biostatistics and Biomathematics, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, USA
| | - Heidi D Nelson
- Providence Cancer Center, Providence Health and Services Oregon, Portland, USA
- Departments of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology and Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, USA
| | - Donald L Weaver
- Department of Pathology and University of Vermont Cancer Center, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Kimberly H Allison
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, USA
| | - Patricia A Carney
- Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, USA
| | - Berta M Geller
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, USA
| | - Anna N A Tosteson
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Lebanon, USA
- Department of Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, USA
| | - Tracy Onega
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Lebanon, USA
| | - Joann G Elmore
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
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Onega T, Reisch LM, Frederick PD, Geller BM, Nelson HD, Lott JP, Radick AC, Elder DE, Barnhill RL, Piepkorn MW, Elmore JG. Use of Digital Whole Slide Imaging in Dermatopathology. J Digit Imaging 2017; 29:243-53. [PMID: 26546178 DOI: 10.1007/s10278-015-9836-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Digital whole slide imaging (WSI) is an emerging technology for pathology interpretation, with specific challenges for dermatopathology, yet little is known about pathologists' practice patterns or perceptions regarding WSI for interpretation of melanocytic lesions. A national sample of pathologists (N = 207) was recruited from 864 invited pathologists from ten US states (CA, CT, HI, IA, KY, LA, NJ, NM, UT, and WA). Pathologists who had interpreted melanocytic lesions in the past year were surveyed in this cross-sectional study. The survey included questions on pathologists' experience, WSI practice patterns and perceptions using a 6-point Likert scale. Agreement was summarized with descriptive statistics to characterize pathologists' use and perceptions of WSI. The majority of participating pathologists were between 40 and 59 years of age (62%) and not affiliated with an academic medical center (71%). Use of WSI was seen more often among dermatopathologists and participants affiliated with an academic medical center. Experience with WSI was reported by 41%, with the most common type of use being for education and testing (CME, board exams, and teaching in general, 71%), and clinical use at tumor boards and conferences (44%). Most respondents (77%) agreed that accurate diagnoses can be made with this technology, and 59% agreed that benefits of WSI outweigh concerns. However, 78% of pathologists reported that digital slides are too slow for routine clinical interpretation. The respondents were equally split as to whether they would like to adopt WSI (49%) or not (51%). The majority of pathologists who interpret melanocytic lesions do not use WSI, but among pathologists who do, use is largely for CME, licensure/board exams, and teaching. Positive perceptions regarding WSI slightly outweigh negative perceptions. Understanding practice patterns with WSI as dissemination advances may facilitate concordance of perceptions with adoption of the technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy Onega
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Department of Epidemiology, Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Lebanon, NH, USA.
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Lebanon, NH, USA.
| | | | | | - Berta M Geller
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Vermont Burlington, Burlington, VT, USA
| | | | | | | | - David E Elder
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Raymond L Barnhill
- Department of Pathology, Institut Curie, Paris, France
- University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael W Piepkorn
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Dermatopathology Northwest, Bellevue, WA, USA
| | - Joann G Elmore
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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Elmore JG, Tosteson AN, Pepe MS, Longton GM, Nelson HD, Geller B, Carney PA, Onega T, Allison KH, Jackson SL, Weaver DL. Evaluation of 12 strategies for obtaining second opinions to improve interpretation of breast histopathology: simulation study. BMJ 2016; 353:i3069. [PMID: 27334105 PMCID: PMC4916777 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.i3069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the potential effect of second opinions on improving the accuracy of diagnostic interpretation of breast histopathology. DESIGN Simulation study. SETTING 12 different strategies for acquiring independent second opinions. PARTICIPANTS Interpretations of 240 breast biopsy specimens by 115 pathologists, one slide for each case, compared with reference diagnoses derived by expert consensus. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Misclassification rates for individual pathologists and for 12 simulated strategies for second opinions. Simulations compared accuracy of diagnoses from single pathologists with that of diagnoses based on pairing interpretations from first and second independent pathologists, where resolution of disagreements was by an independent third pathologist. 12 strategies were evaluated in which acquisition of second opinions depended on initial diagnoses, assessment of case difficulty or borderline characteristics, pathologists' clinical volumes, or whether a second opinion was required by policy or desired by the pathologists. The 240 cases included benign without atypia (10% non-proliferative, 20% proliferative without atypia), atypia (30%), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS, 30%), and invasive cancer (10%). Overall misclassification rates and agreement statistics depended on the composition of the test set, which included a higher prevalence of difficult cases than in typical practice. RESULTS Misclassification rates significantly decreased (P<0.001) with all second opinion strategies except for the strategy limiting second opinions only to cases of invasive cancer. The overall misclassification rate decreased from 24.7% to 18.1% when all cases received second opinions (P<0.001). Obtaining both first and second opinions from pathologists with a high volume (≥10 breast biopsy specimens weekly) resulted in the lowest misclassification rate in this test set (14.3%, 95% confidence interval 10.9% to 18.0%). Obtaining second opinions only for cases with initial interpretations of atypia, DCIS, or invasive cancer decreased the over-interpretation of benign cases without atypia from 12.9% to 6.0%. Atypia cases had the highest misclassification rate after single interpretation (52.2%), remaining at more than 34% in all second opinion scenarios. CONCLUSION Second opinions can statistically significantly improve diagnostic agreement for pathologists' interpretations of breast biopsy specimens; however, variability in diagnosis will not be completely eliminated, especially for breast specimens with atypia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joann G Elmore
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Anna Na Tosteson
- The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Lebanon, NH, USA Department of Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | | | - Gary M Longton
- Program in Biostatistics and Biomathematics, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Heidi D Nelson
- Providence Cancer Center, Providence Health and Services Oregon; and Departments of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology and Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Berta Geller
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Patricia A Carney
- Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Tracy Onega
- Community and Family Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Kimberly H Allison
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sara L Jackson
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Donald L Weaver
- Department of Pathology; and UVM Cancer Center, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
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Montalto MC. An industry perspective: An update on the adoption of whole slide imaging. J Pathol Inform 2016; 7:18. [PMID: 27141323 PMCID: PMC4837789 DOI: 10.4103/2153-3539.180014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
This manuscript is an adaptation of the closing keynote presentation of the Digital Pathology Association Pathology Visions Conference 2015 in Boston, MA, USA. In this presentation, analogies are drawn between the adoption of whole slide imaging (WSI) and other mainstream digital technologies, including digital music and books. In doing so, it is revealed that the adoption of seemingly similar digital technologies does not follow the same adoption profiles and that understanding the unique aspects of value for each customer segment is critical. Finally, a call to action is given to academia and industry to study the value that WSI brings to the global healthcare community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C. Montalto
- Clinical, Medical and Scientific Affairs, Omnyx, LLC, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, USA
- Corresponding author
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Barker J, Hoogi A, Depeursinge A, Rubin DL. Automated classification of brain tumor type in whole-slide digital pathology images using local representative tiles. Med Image Anal 2015; 30:60-71. [PMID: 26854941 DOI: 10.1016/j.media.2015.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Revised: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Computerized analysis of digital pathology images offers the potential of improving clinical care (e.g. automated diagnosis) and catalyzing research (e.g. discovering disease subtypes). There are two key challenges thwarting computerized analysis of digital pathology images: first, whole slide pathology images are massive, making computerized analysis inefficient, and second, diverse tissue regions in whole slide images that are not directly relevant to the disease may mislead computerized diagnosis algorithms. We propose a method to overcome both of these challenges that utilizes a coarse-to-fine analysis of the localized characteristics in pathology images. An initial surveying stage analyzes the diversity of coarse regions in the whole slide image. This includes extraction of spatially localized features of shape, color and texture from tiled regions covering the slide. Dimensionality reduction of the features assesses the image diversity in the tiled regions and clustering creates representative groups. A second stage provides a detailed analysis of a single representative tile from each group. An Elastic Net classifier produces a diagnostic decision value for each representative tile. A weighted voting scheme aggregates the decision values from these tiles to obtain a diagnosis at the whole slide level. We evaluated our method by automatically classifying 302 brain cancer cases into two possible diagnoses (glioblastoma multiforme (N = 182) versus lower grade glioma (N = 120)) with an accuracy of 93.1% (p << 0.001). We also evaluated our method in the dataset provided for the 2014 MICCAI Pathology Classification Challenge, in which our method, trained and tested using 5-fold cross validation, produced a classification accuracy of 100% (p << 0.001). Our method showed high stability and robustness to parameter variation, with accuracy varying between 95.5% and 100% when evaluated for a wide range of parameters. Our approach may be useful to automatically differentiate between the two cancer subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jocelyn Barker
- Department of Medicine (Stanford Biomedical Informatics Research), Stanford University School of Medicine, CA, USA.
| | - Assaf Hoogi
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA, USA.
| | - Adrien Depeursinge
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA, USA; Institute of Information Systems, University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland (HES-SO), Sierre, Switzerland.
| | - Daniel L Rubin
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA, USA; Department of Medicine (Stanford Biomedical Informatics Research), Stanford University School of Medicine, CA, USA.
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Prichard JW, Davison JM, Campbell BB, Repa KA, Reese LM, Nguyen XM, Li J, Foxwell T, Taylor DL, Critchley-Thorne RJ. TissueCypher(™): A systems biology approach to anatomic pathology. J Pathol Inform 2015; 6:48. [PMID: 26430536 PMCID: PMC4584447 DOI: 10.4103/2153-3539.163987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Current histologic methods for diagnosis are limited by intra- and inter-observer variability. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) methods are frequently used to assess biomarkers to aid diagnoses, however, IHC staining is variable and nonlinear and the manual interpretation is subjective. Furthermore, the biomarkers assessed clinically are typically biomarkers of epithelial cell processes. Tumors and premalignant tissues are not composed only of epithelial cells but are interacting systems of multiple cell types, including various stromal cell types that are involved in cancer development. The complex network of the tissue system highlights the need for a systems biology approach to anatomic pathology, in which quantification of system processes is combined with informatics tools to produce actionable scores to aid clinical decision-making. Aims: Here, we describe a quantitative, multiplexed biomarker imaging approach termed TissueCypher™ that applies systems biology to anatomic pathology. Applications of TissueCypher™ in understanding the tissue system of Barrett's esophagus (BE) and the potential use as an adjunctive tool in the diagnosis of BE are described. Patients and Methods: The TissueCypher™ Image Analysis Platform was used to assess 14 epithelial and stromal biomarkers with known diagnostic significance in BE in a set of BE biopsies with nondysplastic BE with reactive atypia (RA, n = 22) and Barrett's with high-grade dysplasia (HGD, n = 17). Biomarker and morphology features were extracted and evaluated in the confirmed BE HGD cases versus the nondysplastic BE cases with RA. Results: Multiple image analysis features derived from epithelial and stromal biomarkers, including immune biomarkers and morphology, showed significant differences between HGD and RA. Conclusions: The assessment of epithelial cell abnormalities combined with an assessment of cellular changes in the lamina propria may serve as an adjunct to conventional pathology in the assessment of BE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey W Prichard
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA 17822, USA
| | - Jon M Davison
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Bruce B Campbell
- Cernostics, Inc., 235 William Pitt Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15238, USA
| | - Kathleen A Repa
- Cernostics, Inc., 235 William Pitt Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15238, USA
| | - Lia M Reese
- Cernostics, Inc., 235 William Pitt Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15238, USA
| | - Xuan M Nguyen
- Cernostics, Inc., 235 William Pitt Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15238, USA
| | - Jinhong Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA 17822, USA
| | - Tyler Foxwell
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - D Lansing Taylor
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
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Molin J, Fjeld M, Mello-Thoms C, Lundström C. Slide navigation patterns among pathologists with long experience of digital review. Histopathology 2015; 67:185-92. [PMID: 25487230 DOI: 10.1111/his.12629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIMS In order to develop efficient digital pathology workstations, we studied the navigation patterns of pathologists diagnosing whole-slide images. To gain a better understanding of these patterns, we built a conceptual model based on observations. We also determined whether or not new navigation patterns have emerged among pathologists with extensive digital experience. METHODS AND RESULTS Five pathologists were asked to diagnose a set of four cases while thinking out loud. The navigation within the digital slides was recorded and divided into re-occurring navigation actions. The pathologists reused the same type of actions, but their occurrence differed. The most common action was a slow panning that followed an edge structure or covered an area systematically, which accounted for 30.2% of all actions and had a median duration of 7.2 s. Of all the actions, 49% were carried out within the navigation overview and 38% of the actions could not have been performed with a conventional microscope. CONCLUSIONS The new navigation possibilities in the digital workstation were used to a large extent. The division of actions into different concepts can be used to find and prioritize between existing user interface designs as well as to understand the different navigation styles used by different pathologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesper Molin
- t2i Interaction Laboratory, Department of Applied Information Technology, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Centre for Image Science and Visualization, Linköping University, Linkoping, Sweden.,Sectra AB, Linkoping, Sweden
| | - Morten Fjeld
- t2i Interaction Laboratory, Department of Applied Information Technology, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Claes Lundström
- Centre for Image Science and Visualization, Linköping University, Linkoping, Sweden.,Sectra AB, Linkoping, Sweden
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Molin J, Lundström C, Fjeld M. A comparative study of input devices for digital slide navigation. J Pathol Inform 2015; 6:7. [PMID: 25774318 PMCID: PMC4355836 DOI: 10.4103/2153-3539.151894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper describes work presented at the Nordic Symposium on Digital Pathology 2014, Linköping, Sweden. Quick and seamless integration between input devices and the navigation of digital slides remains a key barrier for many pathologists to "go digital." To better understand this integration, three different input device implementations were compared in terms of time to diagnose, perceived workload and users' preferences. Six pathologists reviewed in total nine cases with a computer mouse, a 6 degrees-of-freedom (6DOF) navigator and a touchpad. The participants perceived significantly less workload (P < 0.05) with the computer mouse and the 6DOF navigator, than with the touchpad, while no effect of the input device used on the time to diagnose was observed. Five out of six pathologists preferred the 6DOF navigator, while the touchpad was the least preferred device. While digital slide navigation is often designed to mimic microscope interaction, the results of this study demonstrate that in order to minimize workload there is reason to let the digital interaction move beyond the familiar microscope tradition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesper Molin
- Centre for Medical Image Science and Visualization, Linköping University; Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Claes Lundström
- Centre for Medical Image Science and Visualization, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Morten Fjeld
- Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Ordi J, Castillo P, Saco A, Del Pino M, Ordi O, Rodríguez-Carunchio L, Ramírez J. Validation of whole slide imaging in the primary diagnosis of gynaecological pathology in a University Hospital. J Clin Pathol 2014; 68:33-9. [PMID: 25355520 DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2014-202524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Experience in the use of whole slide imaging (WSI) for primary diagnosis in pathology is very limited. We aimed to determine the accuracy of interpretation of WSI compared with conventional light microscopy (CLM) in the diagnosis of routine gynaecological biopsies. METHODS All gynaecological specimens (n=452) received over a 2-month period at the Department of Pathology of the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona were analysed blindly by two gynaecological pathologists, one using CLM and the other WSI. All slides were digitised in a Ventana iScan HT (Roche diagnostics) at 200×. All discrepant diagnoses were reviewed, and a final consensus diagnosis was established. The results were evaluated by weighted κ statistics for two observers. RESULTS The level of interobserver agreement between WSI and CLM evaluations was almost perfect (κ value: 0.914; 95% CI 0.879 to 0.949) and increased during the study period: κ value 0.890; 95% CI 0.835 to 0.945 in the first period and 0.941; 95%; CI 0.899 to 0.983 in the second period. Major discrepancies (differences in clinical management or prognosis) were observed in 9 cases (2.0%). All discrepancies consisted of small lesions (8 high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions of the uterine cervix, one lymph node micrometastasis of an ovarian carcinoma) underdiagnosed or missed in the WSI or the CLM evaluation. Discrepancies with no or minor clinical relevance were identified in 3.8% of the biopsies. No discrepancy was related to the poor quality of the WSI image. CONCLUSIONS Diagnosis of gynaecological specimens by WSI is accurate and may be introduced into routine diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaume Ordi
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain University of Barcelona, School of Medicine, Barcelona, Spain Centre de Recerca en Salut Internacional de Barcelona (CRESIB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paola Castillo
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain Centre de Recerca en Salut Internacional de Barcelona (CRESIB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Adela Saco
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Del Pino
- Institute of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology, Hospital Clínic-Institut d´Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Faculty of Medicine-University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oriol Ordi
- University of Barcelona, School of Medicine, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Jose Ramírez
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain University of Barcelona, School of Medicine, Barcelona, Spain
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Geller BM, Nelson HD, Carney PA, Weaver DL, Onega T, Allison KH, Frederick PD, Tosteson ANA, Elmore JG. Second opinion in breast pathology: policy, practice and perception. J Clin Pathol 2014; 67:955-60. [PMID: 25053542 DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2014-202290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To assess the laboratory policies, pathologists' clinical practice and perceptions about the value of second opinions for breast pathology cases among pathologists practising in the USA. METHODS Cross-sectional data were collected from 252 pathologists who interpret breast specimens in eight states using a web-based survey. Descriptive statistics were used to characterise findings. RESULTS Most participants had >10 years of experience interpreting breast specimens (64%), were not affiliated with academic centres (73%) and were not considered experts by their peers (79%). Laboratory policies mandating second opinions varied by diagnosis: invasive cancer 65%; ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) 56%; atypical ductal hyperplasia 36% and other benign cases 33%. 81% obtained second opinions in the absence of policies. Participants believed they improve diagnostic accuracy (96%) and protect from malpractice suits (83%), and were easy to obtain, did not take too much time and did not make them look less adequate. The most common (60%) approach to resolving differences between the first and second opinion is to ask for a third opinion, followed by reaching a consensus. CONCLUSIONS Laboratory-based second opinion policies vary for breast pathology but are most common for invasive cancer and DCIS cases. Pathologists have favourable attitudes towards second opinions, adhere to policies and obtain them even when policies are absent. Those without a formal policy may benefit from supportive clinical practices and systems that help obtain second opinions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berta M Geller
- Department of Family Medicine, OHPR, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Heidi D Nelson
- Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Patricia A Carney
- Department of Family Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Donald L Weaver
- Department of Pathology, University of Vermont and Vermont Cancer Center, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Tracy Onega
- Norris Cotton Cancer Center and The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Kimberly H Allison
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Paul D Frederick
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Anna N A Tosteson
- Norris Cotton Cancer Center and The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Joann G Elmore
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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