Calculated effective contact area followed a similar trend with a larger preoperative observer discrepancy (13%) compared to the postoperative and optimized values (2.2% and 1.7%, respectively).
Inter-observer discrepancies were resolved by all three pathologists sitting together.
This is a significant edge of Raman spectroscopy, which enables us to evade inter- and intra-observer discrepancies and to make consistent therapeutic plans for patients with same disease.
Furthermore inter and intra-observer discrepancies in histological classification of lesser stages of fibrosis are more prevalent than for higher stages and this may account for the observed under performance of non-invasive tests when compared to histology as a reference standard.
Major inter-observer and intra-observer discrepancy rates of 26%and32%2%, respectively, were found [24].
Although it is essential for clinical investigation, histopathologic identification of tissues remains a time consuming and subjective technique, with unsatisfactory levels of inter- and intra-observer discrepancy.
These tumors, which represent 30 60% of cases, are a major source of inter-observer discrepancy and may display intermediate phenotype and survival, making treatment decisions for these patients a great challenge, with subsequent under- or over-treatment.
Indeed, clinicians face a huge problem with respect to patients who have intermediate-grade tumors (grade 2), as these tumors, which represent 30% to 60% of cases, are the major source of inter-observer discrepancy and may display intermediate phenotype and survival, making treatment decisions for these patients a great challenge, with subsequent under- or over-treatment.
There was good agreement between the observers, any discrepancies were noted and a consensus opinion reached.
Staining was scored in a blinded manner by two independent observers, and discrepancies were rescored by consensus.
