PathXchange for care collaboration

Radiology has been digitized for over a decade now. Digital radiology presents itself as one of the greatest technological advances in medical imaging world. Benefits of digital radiology have been enormous and have helped facilities go filmless. Pathology has similar needs, however, still largely depends on physical examination of the glass slides under a microscope.

Although whole slide imaging technologies are being implemented in pathology practices, the adoption of such technologies has been much slower. Pathology slide images are many times the size of the typical radiology image. One of the major concerns with pathology going digital has been the storage and streaming of such digital slides over the internet. More and more labs are now looking for vendors to take away the burden of storing and managing such huge images.

In an article published by Dr Bruce Friedman he discusses how digital pathology vendors can offer a total basket-of-services including storage of such large image files (See: Digital Pathology Offered as a Service Rather Than a Product). In another article recently posted by Amanda Lowe from Digital Pathology Consultants, she discusses SaaS and cloud computing technologies being applied to digital pathology (See: SAAS- Cloud 9 For Digital Pathology?).

PathXchange brings the field of pathology into the digital age by combining digital pathology, SaaS, and cloud computing technologies to provide, online storage and archival of slide images. It supports from a variety of image formats- including static images and whole slide images. PathXchange is an extremely robust and scalable global hosting infrastructure that:

• Provides unlimited storage for pathology data on high performance off-site servers
• Guarantees 24 x 7 accessibility
• Provides instant content delivery, and
• Requires no IT installation and maintenance

Further, PathXchange combines it with Web 2.0 features to promote exchange of pathological cases, ideas, knowledge, information, products, and services. Pathologists from around the world can network and stay connected. Cases and information can originate from anywhere, from any platform, and shared with the sub-groups of your choice. It enables-

• Online sharing of digital cases
  
• Rapid dissemination of knowledge and information
• Online second opinion consultation
• eLearning
• Forums and discussion

PathXchange creates an environment for care collaboration for pathologists to experience Pathology 2.0 at its best!

Pathology 2.0: Pathology eXchange and more

Pathology community, which till recent past had been unaffected by the web revolution, is slowly waking up to realize what a boon it is to the field and Web 2.0 has changed the whole dynamics of pathology.

What is Pathology 2.0?

The term Web 2.0 is commonly associated with web applications that facilitate interactive information sharing and collaboration on the net. Social networking sites, web based communities, blogs and video sharing sites are all examples of Web 2.0 allowing the users to interact with other users or to exchange user created content.

Like in any field, in pathology too sharing of information is very important. A web based setting enables immediate distribution of digital slide images and pathologists in any corner of the world can view the same simultaneously and share their views on the course of treatment.

"Pathology 2.0 is the application of Web 2.0 tools to provide a collaborative environment for pathologists to share information and interact on the web."

With a majority of the developing countries not having access to quality healthcare, digitalpathology can help pathologists when they come across unconventional cases. Without handing over the slides the two pathologists can share a real-time consultation which is better than a conventional consultation.

This kind of sharing also helps the pharmaceutical companies to expedite research, clinical trials, and facilitate international peer review using a digital pathology platform. A digital slide-sharing network is particularly valuable for pathologists faced with shipping glass slides internationally.

PathXchange is designed to promote exchange of pathlogical cases, information, ideas and knowledge, enables pathologists to upload the slide and share the information online within minutes. The site not only offers the users to take second opinion on difficult cases but also helps them keep abreast with the latest advances in the field. The site also offers an alternative to investing in a costly local digital pathology infrastructure.

It is only a matter of time when Web 2.0, that has becomes such an important part of our lives, also improves the health care collaboration. Online communities like PathXchange are a step in that right direction.

URO Pathology CME, Tata Memorial Center Group on PathXchange

This month, Px features the URO Pathology CME, Tata Memorial Center group. This group displays various pathology slides for one of the leading comprehensive cancer centers in India for the prevention, treatment, education and research. Led by Dr. Sangeeta Desai of the Tata Memorial Center, the 32 members of the group share and learn from one another through posted cases and commentaries. Check out the group’s cases.

PathXchange = Pathology 2.0

New Year Greetings from PathXchange!

Malignant non-epithelial dermal tumor Viral disease of the skin Benign pigmented lesion squamous cell carcinoma Benign adnexal tumor Verruca vulgaris Surg Path Teaching Case Benign adnexal tumor of sweat gland duct origin non-epithelial benign dermal tumor Malignant epidermal tumor Melanocytic lesion Placenta pathology Dermatopathology self test self test benign dermal lesion JH Unknown Melanocytic nevus Metastatic Adenocarcinoma Benign adnexal tumor of hair origin Benign non-epithelial tumor Benign melanocytic tumor Malignant pigmented lesion Inflammatory dermatosis Actinic keratosis Dermpath Test Squamous cell carcinoma variant Verruca vulgaris HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010!  Seborrheic keratosis variant Benign melanocytic lesion dermatofibroma Basal cell carcinoma variant Malignant melanoma Granulomatous disease Nevus Benign non-epithelial dermal tumor Malignant melanocytic tumor Benign epidermal tumor Spitz nevus Basal cell carcinoma Melanoma in-situ TEST YOUR DERMATOPATHOLOGY SKILL Mohammed Unknown Hemepath Teaching Case Non-neoplastic skin lesion Brief review Melanoma Hemangioma Derm Teaching Set Benign dermal tumor Benign adnexal tumor of sweat gland origin Neuro Teaching Set Fungal disease of the skin COLON Sarcoma Virus-induced epidermal tumor Seborrheic keratosis Hidradenoma Dermal cyst Adnexal tumor Bullous disease of the skin

Px Case of the Week: 28th Dec'09 - 3rd Jan'10

This week we're showcasing a Cardiovascular case by Dr. Daniel J. Luthringer as the Px Case of the Week. Dr. Luthringer is from the Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Califonia.

Case Title: Cardiovascular case# 2251
Patient History: Heart explant. History of cardiogenic shock and recurrent ventricular tachycardia [More details on case . . .]

Px Case of the Week: 21st Dec - 27th Dec

This week we're showcasing a GU pathology case by Dr. Ramnani as the Px Case of the Week. Dr. Ramnani is from Virginia Urology in Richmond, Virginia.

Case Title: Genitourinary Case #10136
Patient History: 46 y/o male who was incidentally found to have a right testicular mass. The patient had presented with abdominal pain following blunt injury and [More details on case . . .]