eeDAP: An Evaluation Environment for Digital and Analog Pathology.

Area of Science:

• Digital Pathology
• Histopathology Imaging
• Medical Informatics

Background:

• Pathologists traditionally interpret histopathology using glass slides viewed under optical microscopes.
• The increasing adoption of digital pathology necessitates robust methods for comparing digital whole slide images (WSI) with traditional methods.
• Discrepancies in interpretation can arise from pathologists examining different regions or focus areas.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel platform, eeDAP (evaluation environment for digital and analog pathology), for designing and conducting comparative studies.
• To enable direct comparison between pathologist interpretations of WSI on computer displays and glass slides on microscopes.
• To facilitate studies focusing on image quality differences between digital and analog pathology domains.

Main Methods:

• eeDAP utilizes computer-controlled microscopy and mounted cameras to register WSI with corresponding glass slides.
• This registration ensures that the same regions of interest (ROIs) are evaluated in both digital and analog formats.
• The system allows for the precise alignment and comparison of microscopic fields.

Main Results:

• The platform significantly reduces the evaluated area from entire slides (mm²) to small ROIs (<50 µm²).
• This reduction enables the detailed evaluation of individual cells within specific regions.
• The registration process minimizes interpretation variability due to differing observation areas.

Conclusions:

• eeDAP provides a functional framework for conducting rigorous digital versus analog pathology studies.
• The platform's software and hardware are detailed, with available downloads for research.
• eeDAP facilitates a focused comparison of image quality, crucial for advancing digital pathology adoption.