Digital dermatopathology implementation: Experience at a multisite academic institution.

Background: Technology has revolutionized not only direct patient care but also diagnostic care processes. This study evaluates the transition from glass-slide microscopy to digital pathology (DP) at a multisite academic institution, using mixed methods to understand user perceptions of digitization and key productivity metrics of practice change.

Methods: Participants included dermatopathologists, pathology reporting specialists, and clinicians.

Impact of adding an IgG4 conjugate to routine direct immunofluorescence testing for subepithelial and intraepithelial autoimmune blistering disorders.

Background: Certain autoimmune bullous dermatoses are mediated by autoantibodies of the IgG4 subclass. We determined the diagnostic impact of adding IgG4 to our conventional direct immunofluorescence (DIF) panel.

Methods: For all cases submitted to our referral laboratory for DIF over 1 month (n = 630), we performed IgG4 testing and collected consecutive biopsy specimens showing definite or indeterminate linear or cell-surface deposition of IgG, IgG4, and/or C3.