Application of microscope-based scanning software (Panoptiq) for the interpretation of cervicovaginal cytology specimens

• Published in: Cancer cytopathology Vol. 125; no. 12; p. 918
• Main Authors: Groen, Ruben, Abe, Kuniko, Yoon, Han-Seung, Li, Zaibo, Shen, Rulong, Yoshikawa, Akira, Nitanda, Takao, Shimizu, Yukiko, Otsuka, Isao, Fukuoka, Junya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.12.2017
• Subjects: Algorithms; Cervix Uteri - metabolism; Cervix Uteri - pathology; Cytodiagnosis - methods; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted - methods; Feasibility Studies; Female; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted - methods; Microscopy - methods; Neoplasm Grading - methods; Observer Variation; Papanicolaou Test - methods; Pathology, Clinical - methods; Software; Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions of the Cervix - pathology; Vagina - metabolism; Vagina - pathology; Vaginal Smears - methods; gynecology; interobserver agreement; liquid-based cytology; intraepithelial neoplasia; digital pathology
• ISSN: 1934-6638
• DOI: 10.1002/cncy.21921

Digital pathology increasingly has been gaining the attention of pathologists worldwide. However, the application of digital cytology by Panoptiq (ViewsIQ, Vancouver, Canada) microscope-based scanning software is relatively unexplored. Panoptiq enables the operator to combine low-power panoramic digital images with z-stacks at regions of interest with a significantly smaller image size than that obtained by whole-slide scanning. The current study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of the use of Panoptiq in the digital interpretation of cervicovaginal cytology specimens in comparison with conventional light microscopy. A total of 100 liquid-based cytology slides were selected sequentially. The dotted slides were reviewed and scanned, in which all dotted areas were scanned further by the ×20 objective with z-stacks. The cases were reviewed by 4 pathologists and a cytotechnologist using conventional light microscopy and digital cytology images acquired by Panoptiq and interpreted based on the Bethesda classification system. The washout time was set as 3 weeks. The Cohen kappa coefficient was calculated to measure the agreement between the 2 modalities. Digital cytology demonstrated an intermodality agreement among 3 observers who had sufficient training in digital pathology at concordance rates between 81% and 90% with kappa values between 0.76 and 0.86, whereas the other 2 observers who did not have sufficient training in digital pathology had lower agreement at a concordance rate of between 56% and 57%, with kappa values between 0.41 and 0.44. Panoptiq appears to be feasible for the interpretation of cervicovaginal cytology specimens but requires adequate training in digital pathology. Cancer Cytopathol 2017;125:918-25. © 2017 American Cancer Society.