Digital image analysis: a review of reproducibility, stability and basic requirements for optimal results

Rikke Riber-Hansen, Ben Vainer, Torben Steiniche

27 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Digital image analysis (DIA) is increasingly implemented in histopathological research to facilitate truly quantitative measurements, decrease inter-observer variation and reduce hands-on time. Originally, efforts were made to enable DIA to reproduce manually obtained results on histological slides optimized for light microscopy and the human eye. With improved technical methods and the acknowledgement that computerized readings are different from analysis by human eye, recognition has been achieved that to really empower DIA, histological slides must be optimized for the digital 'eye', with reproducible results correlating with clinical findings. In this review, we focus on the basic expectations and requirements for DIA to gain wider use in histopathological research and diagnostics. With a reference to studies that specifically compare DIA with conventional methods, this review discusses reproducibility, application of stereology-based quantitative measurements, time consumption, optimization of histological slides, regions of interest selection and recent developments in staining and imaging techniques.

Original languageEnglish
JournalAPMIS : acta pathologica, microbiologica, et immunologica Scandinavica
Volume120
Issue number4
Pages (from-to)276-89
Number of pages14
ISSN0903-4641
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2012

Keywords

  • Biomedical Technology
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Microscopy
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Staining and Labeling

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