Boyce B F
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center , Rochester, New York.
Biotech Histochem. 2015 Jul;90(5):321-30. doi: 10.3109/10520295.2015.1033463. Epub 2015 Apr 22.
Advances in computer and software technology and in the quality of images produced by digital cameras together with development of robotic devices that can take glass histology slides from a cassette holding many slides and place them in a conventional microscope for electronic scanning have facilitated the development of whole slide imaging (WSI) systems during the past decade. Anatomic pathologists now have opportunities to test the utility of WSI systems for diagnostic, teaching and research purposes and to determine their limitations. Uses include rendering primary diagnoses from scanned hematoxylin and eosin stained tissues on slides, reviewing frozen section or routine slides from remote locations for interpretation or consultation. Also, WSI can replace physical storage of glass slides with digital images, storing images of slides from outside institutions, presenting slides at clinical or research conferences, teaching residents and medical students, and storing fluorescence images without fading or quenching of the fluorescence signal. Limitations include the high costs of the scanners, maintenance contracts and IT support, storage of digital files and pathologists' lack of familiarity with the technology. Costs are falling as more devices and systems are sold and cloud storage costs drop. Pathologist familiarity with the technology will grow as more institutions purchase WSI systems. The technology holds great promise for the future of anatomic pathology.
在过去十年中，计算机与软件技术的进步、数码相机所产生图像质量的提升，以及机器人设备的发展（这些机器人设备能够从装有多张玻片的盒中取出玻璃组织学玻片，并将其放置在传统显微镜中进行电子扫描）推动了全玻片成像（WSI）系统的发展。解剖病理学家现在有机会测试WSI系统在诊断、教学和研究方面的效用，并确定其局限性。其用途包括根据扫描的苏木精和伊红染色组织玻片做出初步诊断、从远程地点查看冰冻切片或常规玻片以进行解读或会诊。此外，WSI可以用数字图像取代玻璃玻片的实物存储，存储来自外部机构的玻片图像，在临床或研究会议上展示玻片，教授住院医师和医学生，以及存储荧光图像而不会使荧光信号褪色或淬灭。局限性包括扫描仪成本高昂、维护合同和信息技术支持费用高、数字文件存储以及病理学家对该技术缺乏熟悉度。随着更多设备和系统的销售以及云存储成本的下降，成本正在降低。随着更多机构购买WSI系统，病理学家对该技术的熟悉程度将会提高。这项技术对解剖病理学的未来有着巨大的前景。
