Interobserver Variation in Diagnosis

Both low-power and high-power microscope observations are useful in markedly minimizing interobserver variation. The characteristics observed at low magnification include atypia, location of immature cells, and stratification/polarization. At high magnification, detailed morphological characteristics, such as location of immature cells and stratification/ polarization (differentiation), nucleus/cytoplasm ratio, hyperchromasia, polymorphous nuclei (cell characteristics), and the location and appearance of mitotic activity, are scored (Vetetal., 1995). 

Another approach to avoiding interobserver and intraobserver variations and standardizing the diagnosis is the use of computer-assisted analyses. This technology is beginning to be employed in some laboratories (see below). 

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