About the Atlas
Our Goal
The Atlas is being launched first with what we call The Requena Collection, which consists of over 125,000 photomicrographs that Dr. Luis Requena of Spain collected over his decades-long career as one of the leading dermatopathology experts on the planet. Moving forward, we expect to add virtual microscopy slides and expand the website to include sections such as teaching modules and forums for discussions. In the meantime, the comprehensive Requena Collection (including practically all diseases affecting the skin) can be searched by diagnosis, with rarer entities being represented by one or several examples, and more common diseases such as malignant melanoma having over a thousand images.
Editorial Standards
Editorial standards include using only high quality sections (to the extent possible) and having each case reviewed by at least two members of the editorials board, many of whom are recognized experts in particular subsets of dermatopathology. If the diagnosis is not clear from the histologic section alone, supplemental information (particularly clinical correlation) has been used to confirm the diagnosis, and often that information is attached to the visual image. However, as not all viewers may concur with the diagnosis, there is an option for feedback about a slide; we welcome such feedback, and comments will be available for others to view, although the editorial board will not necessarily reply to all comments. Because there is controversy about certain entities (e.g., dysplastic nevi, pigmented epithelioid melanocytoma), we have included a section devoted to such controversies so that users of the atlas can all see the same slides, evaluate the opinions of others, and draw their own conclusions.
Searching the Atlas
The search engine is constructed so that one can do a simple search or advanced search. To use the simple search, merely type in a diagnosis and/or anatomic site, click on the “search” button, and all slides that meet those criteria will be listed, along with a thumbnail picture of each. By clicking on the thumbnail image, you will be directed to the virtual slide, which can be visualized using Philips Digital Pathology slide viewer, enabling views of all or parts of the slide at a range of magnifications. These digital images can be annotated for future personal reference or communicating with colleagues. One can also select cases to store in personal collections for later use in teaching or research.
An advanced search can also be performed. The simplest way is to enter one or multiple words in the “keyword(s)” box. These words can be disease names, anatomic sites, and/or microscopic features. Alternatively, one can do a guided search by using the multiple dropdown lists to check off criteria, then clicking on the search button, and a list of matches will be provided. If a search term is not included in the dropdown list, a list of synonyms or similar terms can be referenced. The advanced search can also be used to locate slides that have been added after a particular date, so the user can see what has been added since his or her last visit to the site. In addition, one can restrict the search to a variety or subgroups, covering diverse topics such as “partial biopsies”, cases sent in consultation from one dermatopathologist to another, or core knowledge for individuals in dermatopathology fellowships.
Forums
Discussion forums are included to expand the educational value of the site. One can read the opinions of others about individual slides or groups of slides, and one can also leave comments. By clicking on this section of the menu on the homepage, you can see the various available discussions, including ones on controversial entities. Instructional quizzes can also be found in this section.
Subscription
Subscriptions to the atlas can be purchased on a monthly basis ($20/month) or yearly basis ($195/year). If you wish to evaluate the atlas before committing to a subscription, a free 7-day trial is available for one time use. Because we desire to make this information available to all, we have included a mechanism for a markedly reduced subscription for qualified individuals for whom the full subscription price would represent a financial hardship; to investigate this further, one can apply through our non-profit foundation…