Evidence-Based Cytology
1.0 CE Credit Hour / Eric J. Fish, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Eric J. Fish, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Dr. Eric Fish is a veterinarian, pathologist, scientist, educator, and business leader with over a decade of experience in veterinary medicine and the life sciences. His diverse background spans roles in academia as well as the private sector, including both start-ups and corporate medical technology companies. Dr. Fish was an early adopter of digital pathology, having started a static telecytology company called CytoVetStat and co-founding Lacuna Diagnostics (which was acquired by Heska in 2021).
His professional areas of interest include hematology and bone marrow disorders, oncologic pathology, iron metabolism and biomarkers, microRNA profiling, digital pathology, and applied computer vision and deep learning AI/ML (particularly computational pathology). In addition to subject matter expertise in these areas, Dr. Fish has led research and development as an executive, principal investigator, and as an innovation manager leading cross-functional teams of engineers, scientists, product managers, and managers in finance, procurement, and operations.
Overview:
This presentation will focus on the nuances of cytology in veterinary medicine, particularly emphasizing its limitations, communication issues between clinicians and pathologists, and the impact of probability modifiers on cytology diagnoses. The lecture delves into evidence-based literature regarding the diagnostic accuracy of cytology for common applications, including staging neoplasia, examining cutaneous masses, and conducting ultrasound-guided liver fine-needle aspiration (FNA). This session aims to enhance understanding of cytology's role and limitations, facilitating better decision-making in veterinary clinical practice.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the utility and limitations of cytology in veterinary diagnostics.
- Identify factors that enhance the accuracy and reliability of cytology results.
- Recognize the importance of effective communication between clinicians and pathologists in interpreting cytological results.
- Evaluate how uncertainty is expressed in cytologic diagnoses and its impact on clinical decision-making.
- Interpret data from recent studies assessing the diagnostic accuracy of cytology compared to histopathology in veterinary medicine.
This course is RACE-approved for 1.0 continuing education credits hours in jurisdictions that accept RACE-approval.
