From Telecytology to Mobile Cytopathology

Abstract

Cytopathology is a popular discipline since George Papanicolaou proposed the famous test pap about 60 years ago. Today modern cytopathology laboratories still use the microscope as the primary diagnostic device and additionally they host modalities performing medical tests and exchange data via networks and have imaging systems producing pictures and virtual slides; the volume of produced data nowadays is enormous. Simultaneously mobile phones and tablets have evolved; their capabilities compete desktop computers and have the advantage of being always connected and at the side of users. Despite there are rather limited applications relevant to cytopathology for the mobile device, there is potential for uses in numerous activities of the cytopathology laboratory, including and not limited to: training, reporting, diagnosis and consultation, laboratory management, whole slide imaging, interactions between patient-doctor, doctor-doctor and within the laboratory personnel, quality control and assurance. Mobile devices can offer important benefits to the modern cytopathology laboratory.