Clinical application of dynamic telepathology in Mohs surgery

Dermatol Surg. 2005 Dec;31(12):1700-3. doi: 10.2310/6350.2005.31311.

Abstract

Background: Telepathology is an expanding technology in multiple fields for remote pathology diagnosis and consultation. The use of telepathology in Mohs surgery has been very limited.

Objective: To describe the clinical experience of using a telepathology system for intraoperative consultations on difficult frozen sections during Mohs surgery.

Materials and methods: Intraoperative consultation with a dermatopathologist was obtained using a dynamic telepathology system for all questions arising on frozen sections during Mohs surgery for nonmelanoma skin cancers during a 2-year period.

Results: The most common reason for consultation was to distinguish basal cell carcinoma from a benign histologic simulant on Mohs frozen sections. Other uses included determining tumor histology and distinguishing inflammation from residual tumor.

Conclusion: Dynamic telepathology is a useful and convenient adjunct in the Mohs surgery practice for intraoperative consultations on difficult frozen sections.

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / pathology*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Frozen Sections
  • Humans
  • Intraoperative Period
  • Microscopy
  • Mohs Surgery*
  • Referral and Consultation
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Telepathology*