Overview of digital imaging in pathology. The fifth wave.

During the last decade, pathologists have witnessed dramatic advances in computer hardware and software technology. The major impact of these technologies has been in the management of text information. Significant benefits, however, lie in the manipulation and use of digital images of pathology specimens. Digital images may be analyzed to extract feature information, processed to enhance the visual image, archived to aid diagnostic efforts and education, or transmitted to facilitate communication between pathologists. These components can be integrated with information management systems to form the basis for a work-station for diagnostic pathology. Such technology will likely improve the productivity and diagnostic ability of pathologists in the coming years.