Utility of 2-D and 3-D virtual microscopy in cervical cytology education andtesting.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of 3-D vs. 2-D virtual microscopy asadjuncts to education and assessment in cervical cytology. STUDY DESIGN: Five cervical cytologyslides were acquired in 2-D; then the identical area of the slide was acquired in 3-D, resulting in2 sets of virtual slides for comparison with the original glass slide. Seventy-nine paid volunteercytologists and cytotechnology students participated. Approximately half were sent the 2-D set ofslides via the Web, and the others a 3-D set of slides on a DVD. Evaluators examined the virtualslides and committed to an interpretation. After receipt of the original glass slides, a secondinterpretation was made, if different from the virtual slide interpretation. RESULTS: Diagnosticaccuracy using virtual cytology slides was similar to that for glass slides (94% vs. 96%). There wasno difference in diagnostic accuracy between 2-D and 3-D slides (p = 0.28); however, the ability tofocus 3-D slides in the z-axis was strongly endorsed bythe participants because of the uncertaintyand frustration of having some cells out of focus on 2-D virtual slides. CONCLUSION: There wasconsensus that virtual cervical cytology slides would be a useful augmentation to education andtesting.
Dee,FR　Donnelly,A　Radio,S　Leaven,T　Zaleski,MS　Kreiter,C
University of Iowa, Department of Pathology, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA.fred-dee@uiowa.edu
educational　 Testing Microscopy
