Implementing 100% quality control in a cervical cytology workflow using whole slide images and artificial intelligence provided by the Techcyte SureView™ System.

Background: Recent advancements in digital pathology have extended into cytopathology. Laboratories screening cervical cytology specimens now choose between limited imaging options and traditional manual microscopy. The Techcyte SureView™ Cervical Cytology System, designed for digital cytopathology, was validated at CorePlus, a pathology laboratory in Puerto Rico, and adopted as a 100% quality control (QC) tool.

Methods: The validation study included 1442 whole slide images (WSIs) from 1273 ThinPrep® and 169 SurePath™ cervical cytology slides, digitized with the 3DHISTECH Panoramic 1000 DX scanner using dry and water immersion scanning profiles. These WSIs were processed by the Techcyte SureView™ system, with a board-certified cytopathologist reviewing artificial intelligence (AI)-identified objects of interest and comparing them to traditional light microscopy results.

Results: Techcyte SureView™ with the water immersion scanning profile outperformed both the dry scanning profile and light microscopy in detecting squamous and glandular abnormalities. It achieved 97% accuracy, 82% sensitivity, 99% specificity, 98% negative predictive value, and 86% positive predictive value. Additionally, the review time was rapid. The system has been operational for several months, enhancing accuracy and workflow efficiency.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that digital cytopathology, particularly through the Techcyte SureView™ system, can improve laboratory workflow and performance. Successful validation led CorePlus to integrate the AI algorithm into their workflow as a 100% QC review tool, resulting in improved accuracy, benefiting both laboratory professionals and patients.