The virtual microscope for routine pathology based on a PACS system for 6 Gb images K. Saeger * , K. Schlu ¨ns, T. Schrader, P. Hufnagl Department for Digital Pathology and IT, Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty Charite ´, Humboldt-University, Schumannstrasse 20-21, 10117, Berlin, Germany Received 15 March 2003; received in revised form 20 March 2003; accepted 2 April 2003 Abstract The use of digital images for diagnosis, known as radiology, can bring substantial improvements for efficiency and functionality in routine histology. We developed a system that allows diagnosis with a virtual microscope using digital images from complete slides under highest magnification. The major technical challenges were the large data volumes and the necessary visualisation speed. Using image streaming technologies, we developed a system that solves those problems. We present our system and its advantages. Fast access to reference cases, easy integration of telepathology and an uninterrupted digital workflow may, in the long-term, convince pathologists of the digital virtual microscope (DVM) as a realistic alternative to light microscope. D 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. and CARS. All rights reserved. Keywords: Virtual microscope; Pathology; PACS; Digital pathology 1. Introduction The routine use of digital images for diagnosis is largely performed in radiology using diagnostic instruments with digital image output and PACS systems. Digital routine pathology with a PACS system and a virtual microscope as the user front-end also has the possibility to bring decisive advantages in functionality for the diagnosis, workflow, time, cost effectiveness and quality assurance [1,2]. Thinking of functionality, a critical view on the light microscope bares several constraints, such as:  Only a clipping of the glass slide is visible, orientation in the slide is difficult  Only selected, lens-dependant magnifications are available 0531-5131/03 D 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. and CARS. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/S0531-5131(03)00524-7 * Corresponding author. Tel.: +49-30-450-536188; fax: +49-30-450-536910. E-mail address: Kai.Saeger@Charite.de (K. Saeger). International Congress Series 1256 (2003) 299 – 304