Katharina Glatz*, Dieter Glatz**
*Institut für Pathologie Basel, **Universitätsrechenzentrum, Basel, Switzerland

ABSTRACT:

PathoPic (http://alf3.urz.unibas.ch/pathopic/) is a public access image database on the World Wide Web. To date more than 2000 macroscopic and microscopic pictures (including cytologic preparations and frozen sections) of high quality are provided for use in medical education and public health information. Each image has a unique identification number and is classified according to its topography, diagnosis, coloration etc. Additional information is supplied in terms of a short description and clinical data if available. A detailed search form allows locating images precisely and fast. The search result can be viewed as text or in a preview format with thumbnails. For students an interactive training mode has been developed, which can be adapted to individual needs. Moreover, PathoChallenge, a computer game permits students to test their knowledge in a playful manner.

Comments or questions concerning the database or a particular image can be discussed in the affiliated online forum. Structure and technology of PathoPic are designed for both continuous expansion of the database and connection of additional learning modules such as slide seminars, online lectures, histology courses (under construction), case reports, or discussion groups.

Future perspectives: images from all fields of pathology as well as radiology will be added to this ever-growing relational database system which will make it an indispensable tool for online teaching and diagnostic practice.

PathoPic is a public access image database offering images of high quality to everybody with interest in pathology. Due to an easy to use structure and technology PathoPic will be a fast growing image database with the possibility to integrate any image of the database in different learning modules.

Glatz-Krieger Katharina
Institut für Pathologie der Universität Basel
Schönbeinstrasse 40
CH-4031 Basel
Phone: 061 265 27 57
Fax: 061 643 12 19
Email: Katharina.Glatz@unibas.ch
Website: http://alf3.urz.unibas.ch/pathopic/intro.htm

CO-AUTHORS:

Glatz Dieter
Mihatsch Michael
Universitätsrechenzentrum, Klingelbergstrasse 70, 4056 Basel, Schweiz
Institut für Pathologie der Universität Basel, Schönbeinstrasse 40,
4031 Basel
Phone: 061 267 22 76
061 643 12 19
Fax: 061 643 12 19
Email: Dieter.Glatz@unibas.ch
Website: PathoPic: http://alf3.urz.unibas.ch/pathopic/intro.htm
PathoChallenge: http://ic18.urz.unibas.ch:8120/pc/