Protocol: revolutionizing central nervous system tumour diagnosis in low- and middle-income countries: an innovative observational study on intraoperative smear and deep learning

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility and implementation of a novel approach for intraoperative brain smears within the operating room, which is augmented with deep learning technology. Materials and methods: This study is designed as an observational to evaluate the feasibi...

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Main Authors: Muhammad Shakir, Ahmed Altaf, Mahnoor Tariq, Ahmed Gilani, Ihsan Ullah, Faiza Urooj, Fatima Suleman, Noman Ahmed, Syed Ather Enam
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Pakistan Medical Association 2024-06-01
Series:Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association
Online Access:https://jpma.org.pk/index.php/public_html/article/view/21058
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author Muhammad Shakir
Ahmed Altaf
Mahnoor Tariq
Ahmed Gilani
Ihsan Ullah
Faiza Urooj
Fatima Suleman
Noman Ahmed
Syed Ather Enam
author_facet Muhammad Shakir
Ahmed Altaf
Mahnoor Tariq
Ahmed Gilani
Ihsan Ullah
Faiza Urooj
Fatima Suleman
Noman Ahmed
Syed Ather Enam
author_sort Muhammad Shakir
collection DOAJ
description Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility and implementation of a novel approach for intraoperative brain smears within the operating room, which is augmented with deep learning technology. Materials and methods: This study is designed as an observational to evaluate the feasibility and implementation of using an innovative approach to intraoperative brain smears within the operating room, augmented with deep learning technology. The study will be conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, from May 2024 to July 2026, with an estimated sample size of 258. A neurosurgical trainee, trained by the study neuropathologist, will prepare and examine the smears under a microscope in the operating room. The findings of the trainee will be documented and compared to routine intraoperative consultations (smear and/or frozen section) and final histopathology results obtained from the pathology department. Additionally, the study will incorporate artificial intelligence tools to assist with the interpretation of smear and a telepathology interface to enable consultation from an off-site neuropathologist. Conclusion: The results of this study will hold significant potential to revolutionise neurosurgery practices in lowand middle-income countries by introducing a cost-effective, efficient, and high-quality intraoperative consultation method to settings that currently lack the necessary infrastructure and expertise. The implementation of this innovative approach has the potential to improve patient outcomes and increase access to intraoperative diagnosis, thereby addressing a significant unmet need in LMICs. Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Neuropathology, Neurosurgery, Telepathology, Brain, tumour
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institution Kabale University
issn 0030-9982
language English
publishDate 2024-06-01
publisher Pakistan Medical Association
record_format Article
series Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association
spelling doaj-art-e2b75143f73d46f0a7858bcbed517a9b2025-08-20T03:39:57ZengPakistan Medical AssociationJournal of the Pakistan Medical Association0030-99822024-06-01743 (Supple)10.47391/JPMA.S3.GNO-03Protocol: revolutionizing central nervous system tumour diagnosis in low- and middle-income countries: an innovative observational study on intraoperative smear and deep learningMuhammad Shakir0Ahmed Altaf1Mahnoor Tariq2Ahmed Gilani3Ihsan Ullah4Faiza Urooj5Fatima Suleman6Noman Ahmed7Syed Ather Enam8Department of Neurosurgery, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.Department of Neurosurgery, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.Department of Neurosurgery, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, Children's Hospital, Colorado, USA.School of Computer Science, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland.Department of Neurosurgery, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.Department of Neurosurgery, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.Department of Neurosurgery, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.Department of Neurosurgery, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility and implementation of a novel approach for intraoperative brain smears within the operating room, which is augmented with deep learning technology. Materials and methods: This study is designed as an observational to evaluate the feasibility and implementation of using an innovative approach to intraoperative brain smears within the operating room, augmented with deep learning technology. The study will be conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, from May 2024 to July 2026, with an estimated sample size of 258. A neurosurgical trainee, trained by the study neuropathologist, will prepare and examine the smears under a microscope in the operating room. The findings of the trainee will be documented and compared to routine intraoperative consultations (smear and/or frozen section) and final histopathology results obtained from the pathology department. Additionally, the study will incorporate artificial intelligence tools to assist with the interpretation of smear and a telepathology interface to enable consultation from an off-site neuropathologist. Conclusion: The results of this study will hold significant potential to revolutionise neurosurgery practices in lowand middle-income countries by introducing a cost-effective, efficient, and high-quality intraoperative consultation method to settings that currently lack the necessary infrastructure and expertise. The implementation of this innovative approach has the potential to improve patient outcomes and increase access to intraoperative diagnosis, thereby addressing a significant unmet need in LMICs. Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Neuropathology, Neurosurgery, Telepathology, Brain, tumour https://jpma.org.pk/index.php/public_html/article/view/21058
spellingShingle Muhammad Shakir
Ahmed Altaf
Mahnoor Tariq
Ahmed Gilani
Ihsan Ullah
Faiza Urooj
Fatima Suleman
Noman Ahmed
Syed Ather Enam
Protocol: revolutionizing central nervous system tumour diagnosis in low- and middle-income countries: an innovative observational study on intraoperative smear and deep learning
Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association
title Protocol: revolutionizing central nervous system tumour diagnosis in low- and middle-income countries: an innovative observational study on intraoperative smear and deep learning
title_full Protocol: revolutionizing central nervous system tumour diagnosis in low- and middle-income countries: an innovative observational study on intraoperative smear and deep learning
title_fullStr Protocol: revolutionizing central nervous system tumour diagnosis in low- and middle-income countries: an innovative observational study on intraoperative smear and deep learning
title_full_unstemmed Protocol: revolutionizing central nervous system tumour diagnosis in low- and middle-income countries: an innovative observational study on intraoperative smear and deep learning
title_short Protocol: revolutionizing central nervous system tumour diagnosis in low- and middle-income countries: an innovative observational study on intraoperative smear and deep learning
title_sort protocol revolutionizing central nervous system tumour diagnosis in low and middle income countries an innovative observational study on intraoperative smear and deep learning
url https://jpma.org.pk/index.php/public_html/article/view/21058
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