Comparison of the digital microscopy and conventional light microscopy in grading of oral epithelial dysplasia

• Grant number: 13/07226-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2013
• End date: December 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Jacks Jorge Junior
• Grantee: Ledyane da Silva Mafra
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba (FOP). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

It is known that the transition from normal mucosa to invasive carcinoma is a complex, multistep and multifactorial etiology, where Potentially Malignant Lesions (PML) has a great relevance. The oral leukoplakia (OL) is the most representative of the PML. The dysplasia is considered as highest risk factor for malignant transformation of OL, but the padronization and reproducibility of grading methods always was contradictory, probably due to the subjective aspect inherent in this process. To our knowledge, there are no studies that to compare digital microscopy with conventional microscopy in the grading of oral epithelial dysplasia. This study aims to compare the efficiency and accuracy of digital microscopy with conventional light microscopy in grading of oral epithelial dysplasia, using the grading system proposed by the WHO. Two observers will make the selection of cases that should be include in the study but will not participate in the subsequent analysis. Will be selected 10-15 cases per classification, where they will be subjected to three observers using a microscope tool, separated by intervals of 30-40 days. This process will be repeated twice, where initially will be performed by conventional light microscopy followed by digital microscopy. Will be compared variations in intra and inter observers in the gradation and time necessary for analyses per case. Comparisons will be made and intra inter microscopy method. The method that provide better efficiency and accuracy will be tested with the same cases and observers, however being offered clinical images and corresponding data, to evaluate whether these data have influence on the results.