Affiliations: Digital Pathology Unit, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt | MGH Pathology Imaging and Communication Technology (PICT) Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author: Essam Ayad, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. Tel.: +2 010 6690 370; Fax: +2 023 3356 470; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Background: Telepathology, the practice of pathology at a long distance, has advanced continuously since 1986. The progress of telepathology passed through four stages: Static, Dynamic, Hybrid & Whole Slide Imaging. Materials and methods: A pilot project between the Italian Hospital in Cairo & the Civico Hospital in Palermo was completed successfully, applying the static & dynamic techniques of telepathology. This project began in 2003 and continued till now. In 2004, centers in Venice, London and Pittsburgh participated actively in our project. Results: Over eight years we consulted on many problematic pathological cases with specialized pathological centers in Italy, UK & USA. In addition to the highly specialized scientific value, we saved a lot of time and money. Conclusion: We concluded from our experience that telepathology is a very useful and applicable tool for additional consulting on difficult pathological cases especially for emerging countries. In view of this success we have already established our Digital Telepathology Unit in Cairo University, using the WSI technique in teaching which was greatly successful and encouraged us to build a huge digital pathology library which will expand our telepathology & E-learning programs to cover staff and students in Egypt and Eastern Mediterranean.
