An IT Software System for Using Experience in Veterinary Pathological Anatomy

Abstract

Background: Veterinary anatomical pathology is a medical specialty similar to human anatomical pathology, which aims to obtain a final pathological diagnosis, applying criteria based mostly in the knowledge of the gross and histological lesions. The main difficulties in veterinary pathological diagnosis are related to the various animal species a pathologist has to deal with, the use of exhaustive classifications of different types, the costs, the subjectivity and the urgency in issuing the report. So, the urgent need to compile all available information to obtain a diagnosis, in a short period of time, is the constant challenge placed to the professional experts in the area concerned. Methods: Authors propose a framework and a software system (which uses experience) that can be useful for diagnosis purposes. The framework is based on the analysis of the bibliography of the domain. The software system applies Case Based Reasoning for retrieving past solved cases and suggest the solution to the veterinarian professional. Results: The software system was already tested in a set of 921 and revealed that 69.6% of cases could be adapted, indicating a high level of similarity. Conclusions: Both proposals can be useful tools in helping to make a better diagnosis.