open access
Future perspectives of digital pathology
open access
Abstract
Technological advances have enabled innovative solutions to be achieved in pathology based on digital imaging, now superseding those of conventional microscopy. Digital pathology has been defined as ‘virtual microscopy’ and depends on computer-generated digital imaging of microscope slides (WSI — whole slide imaging) which are in turn created, reviewed, managed, shared, analysed and interpreted. Such WSI systems and digital consulting platforms are now used for teaching, scientific research, telepathology / teleconsultation and diagnostics. They also permit easy and interactive sharing of WSI that can be integrated into other medical information systems. The software for automated image analysis and computer aided diagnosis can thereby make highly accurate diagnoses and help standardise study findings. Despite the technique’s many advantages, its noted drawbacks include high equipment and software costs, image quality issues of standardisation and most importantly, that pathologists are reluctant to use it routinely for making diagnoses.
Abstract
Technological advances have enabled innovative solutions to be achieved in pathology based on digital imaging, now superseding those of conventional microscopy. Digital pathology has been defined as ‘virtual microscopy’ and depends on computer-generated digital imaging of microscope slides (WSI — whole slide imaging) which are in turn created, reviewed, managed, shared, analysed and interpreted. Such WSI systems and digital consulting platforms are now used for teaching, scientific research, telepathology / teleconsultation and diagnostics. They also permit easy and interactive sharing of WSI that can be integrated into other medical information systems. The software for automated image analysis and computer aided diagnosis can thereby make highly accurate diagnoses and help standardise study findings. Despite the technique’s many advantages, its noted drawbacks include high equipment and software costs, image quality issues of standardisation and most importantly, that pathologists are reluctant to use it routinely for making diagnoses.
Keywords
digital pathomorphology, whole slide images, telepathology/teleconsultation, education, research, archiving, digital diagnostics, IT technologies
About this articleTitle
Future perspectives of digital pathology
Journal
Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology
Issue
Article type
Invited editorial
Pages
277-284
Published online
2016-12-23
Page views
849
Article views/downloads
1825
DOI
Bibliographic record
Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology 2016;66(4):277-284.
Keywords
digital pathomorphology
whole slide images
telepathology/teleconsultation
education
research
archiving
digital diagnostics
IT technologies
Authors
Monika Prochorec-Sobieszek
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