234: Quality, Teaching, and AI: A Practical Shift in Pathology

Send us Fan MailWhere is AI in pathology actually becoming useful right now? In this episode of DigiPath Digest, I review 4 new PubMed papers across digital pathology, whole slide imaging (WSI), computational pathology, medical education, forensic pathology, and breast cancer AI. We look at a deep learning tool for coronary artery stenosis measurement in forensic autopsies, an AI-powered digital pathology model for renal pathology education, an open-source quality control tool for prostate biopsy whole slide images, and a breast cancer stage prediction model built for resource-constrained settings using low-magnification H&E slides. I also share updates on the upcoming second edition of Digital Pathology 101 and the decision to make AI paper summaries public on the podcast feed to help busy pathology professionals stay current. Highlights  [01:28] Update on the upcoming second edition of Digital Pathology 101 and the release of public AI paper summaries for faster literature review. [05:22] Paper 1: Deep learning for coronary artery stenosis evaluation in forensic autopsies using whole slide imaging. Why objective stenosis measurement matters, how the model outperformed visual estimates, and why this could affect adoption in forensic pathology.[15:18] Paper 2: AI-powered digital pathology with case-based teaching in renal education. A practical discussion on annotated digital slides, flipped classroom learning, and how digital pathology can improve pathology education and diagnostic reasoning.[21:34] Paper 3: Open-source AI for quantitative quality control in prostate biopsy whole slide images. Why WSI quality control matters, what PathProfiler measures, and how automated QC can support remote pathology workflows.[32:38] Paper 4: Breast cancer stage prediction from H&E whole slide images in resource-constrained settings. A look at low-magnification AI, vision transformers, and what moderate performance can still mean when access to advanced testing is limited. [45:06] Closing thoughts, invitation to vote for future AI paper summaries, and a final reminder to download Digital Pathology 101. Resources Paper 1: Development of a deep learning-based tool for coronary artery stenosis evaluation in forensic autopsies using whole slide imaging PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41998396/Paper 2: Integrating AI-Powered Digital Pathology With Case-Based Teaching: A Novel Paradigm for Renal Education in Medical School PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41995002/Paper 3: Application of an open-source AI tool for quantitative quality control in whole slide images of prostate needle core biopsies - a retrospective study PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41994924/Paper 4: Deep-learning-based breast cancer stage prediction from H&E-stained whole-slide images in resource-constrained settings PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41993946/Support the showGet the "Digital Pathology 101" FREE E-book and join us!