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Dr Bhanu K Bhakhri

"The Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (JCDR) has been in operation since almost a decade. It has contributed a huge number of peer reviewed articles, across a spectrum of medical disciplines, to the medical literature.
Its wide based indexing and open access publications attracts many authors as well as readers
For authors, the manuscripts can be uploaded online through an easily navigable portal, on other hand, reviewers appreciate the systematic handling of all manuscripts. The way JCDR has emerged as an effective medium for publishing wide array of observations in Indian context, I wish the editorial team success in their endeavour"



Dr Bhanu K Bhakhri
Faculty, Pediatric Medicine
Super Speciality Paediatric Hospital and Post Graduate Teaching Institute, Noida
On Sep 2018




Dr Mohan Z Mani

"Thank you very much for having published my article in record time.I would like to compliment you and your entire staff for your promptness, courtesy, and willingness to be customer friendly, which is quite unusual.I was given your reference by a colleague in pathology,and was able to directly phone your editorial office for clarifications.I would particularly like to thank the publication managers and the Assistant Editor who were following up my article. I would also like to thank you for adjusting the money I paid initially into payment for my modified article,and refunding the balance.
I wish all success to your journal and look forward to sending you any suitable similar article in future"



Dr Mohan Z Mani,
Professor & Head,
Department of Dematolgy,
Believers Church Medical College,
Thiruvalla, Kerala
On Sep 2018




Prof. Somashekhar Nimbalkar

"Over the last few years, we have published our research regularly in Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. Having published in more than 20 high impact journals over the last five years including several high impact ones and reviewing articles for even more journals across my fields of interest, we value our published work in JCDR for their high standards in publishing scientific articles. The ease of submission, the rapid reviews in under a month, the high quality of their reviewers and keen attention to the final process of proofs and publication, ensure that there are no mistakes in the final article. We have been asked clarifications on several occasions and have been happy to provide them and it exemplifies the commitment to quality of the team at JCDR."



Prof. Somashekhar Nimbalkar
Head, Department of Pediatrics, Pramukhswami Medical College, Karamsad
Chairman, Research Group, Charutar Arogya Mandal, Karamsad
National Joint Coordinator - Advanced IAP NNF NRP Program
Ex-Member, Governing Body, National Neonatology Forum, New Delhi
Ex-President - National Neonatology Forum Gujarat State Chapter
Department of Pediatrics, Pramukhswami Medical College, Karamsad, Anand, Gujarat.
On Sep 2018




Dr. Kalyani R

"Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research is at present a well-known Indian originated scientific journal which started with a humble beginning. I have been associated with this journal since many years. I appreciate the Editor, Dr. Hemant Jain, for his constant effort in bringing up this journal to the present status right from the scratch. The journal is multidisciplinary. It encourages in publishing the scientific articles from postgraduates and also the beginners who start their career. At the same time the journal also caters for the high quality articles from specialty and super-specialty researchers. Hence it provides a platform for the scientist and researchers to publish. The other aspect of it is, the readers get the information regarding the most recent developments in science which can be used for teaching, research, treating patients and to some extent take preventive measures against certain diseases. The journal is contributing immensely to the society at national and international level."



Dr Kalyani R
Professor and Head
Department of Pathology
Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College
Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research , Kolar, Karnataka
On Sep 2018




Dr. Saumya Navit

"As a peer-reviewed journal, the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research provides an opportunity to researchers, scientists and budding professionals to explore the developments in the field of medicine and dentistry and their varied specialities, thus extending our view on biological diversities of living species in relation to medicine.
‘Knowledge is treasure of a wise man.’ The free access of this journal provides an immense scope of learning for the both the old and the young in field of medicine and dentistry as well. The multidisciplinary nature of the journal makes it a better platform to absorb all that is being researched and developed. The publication process is systematic and professional. Online submission, publication and peer reviewing makes it a user-friendly journal.
As an experienced dentist and an academician, I proudly recommend this journal to the dental fraternity as a good quality open access platform for rapid communication of their cutting-edge research progress and discovery.
I wish JCDR a great success and I hope that journal will soar higher with the passing time."



Dr Saumya Navit
Professor and Head
Department of Pediatric Dentistry
Saraswati Dental College
Lucknow
On Sep 2018




Dr. Arunava Biswas

"My sincere attachment with JCDR as an author as well as reviewer is a learning experience . Their systematic approach in publication of article in various categories is really praiseworthy.
Their prompt and timely response to review's query and the manner in which they have set the reviewing process helps in extracting the best possible scientific writings for publication.
It's a honour and pride to be a part of the JCDR team. My very best wishes to JCDR and hope it will sparkle up above the sky as a high indexed journal in near future."



Dr. Arunava Biswas
MD, DM (Clinical Pharmacology)
Assistant Professor
Department of Pharmacology
Calcutta National Medical College & Hospital , Kolkata




Dr. C.S. Ramesh Babu
" Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (JCDR) is a multi-specialty medical and dental journal publishing high quality research articles in almost all branches of medicine. The quality of printing of figures and tables is excellent and comparable to any International journal. An added advantage is nominal publication charges and monthly issue of the journal and more chances of an article being accepted for publication. Moreover being a multi-specialty journal an article concerning a particular specialty has a wider reach of readers of other related specialties also. As an author and reviewer for several years I find this Journal most suitable and highly recommend this Journal."
Best regards,
C.S. Ramesh Babu,
Associate Professor of Anatomy,
Muzaffarnagar Medical College,
Muzaffarnagar.
On Aug 2018




Dr. Arundhathi. S
"Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (JCDR) is a reputed peer reviewed journal and is constantly involved in publishing high quality research articles related to medicine. Its been a great pleasure to be associated with this esteemed journal as a reviewer and as an author for a couple of years. The editorial board consists of many dedicated and reputed experts as its members and they are doing an appreciable work in guiding budding researchers. JCDR is doing a commendable job in scientific research by promoting excellent quality research & review articles and case reports & series. The reviewers provide appropriate suggestions that improve the quality of articles. I strongly recommend my fraternity to encourage JCDR by contributing their valuable research work in this widely accepted, user friendly journal. I hope my collaboration with JCDR will continue for a long time".



Dr. Arundhathi. S
MBBS, MD (Pathology),
Sanjay Gandhi institute of trauma and orthopedics,
Bengaluru.
On Aug 2018




Dr. Mamta Gupta,
"It gives me great pleasure to be associated with JCDR, since last 2-3 years. Since then I have authored, co-authored and reviewed about 25 articles in JCDR. I thank JCDR for giving me an opportunity to improve my own skills as an author and a reviewer.
It 's a multispecialty journal, publishing high quality articles. It gives a platform to the authors to publish their research work which can be available for everyone across the globe to read. The best thing about JCDR is that the full articles of all medical specialties are available as pdf/html for reading free of cost or without institutional subscription, which is not there for other journals. For those who have problem in writing manuscript or do statistical work, JCDR comes for their rescue.
The journal has a monthly publication and the articles are published quite fast. In time compared to other journals. The on-line first publication is also a great advantage and facility to review one's own articles before going to print. The response to any query and permission if required, is quite fast; this is quite commendable. I have a very good experience about seeking quick permission for quoting a photograph (Fig.) from a JCDR article for my chapter authored in an E book. I never thought it would be so easy. No hassles.
Reviewing articles is no less a pain staking process and requires in depth perception, knowledge about the topic for review. It requires time and concentration, yet I enjoy doing it. The JCDR website especially for the reviewers is quite user friendly. My suggestions for improving the journal is, more strict review process, so that only high quality articles are published. I find a a good number of articles in Obst. Gynae, hence, a new journal for this specialty titled JCDR-OG can be started. May be a bimonthly or quarterly publication to begin with. Only selected articles should find a place in it.
An yearly reward for the best article authored can also incentivize the authors. Though the process of finding the best article will be not be very easy. I do not know how reviewing process can be improved. If an article is being reviewed by two reviewers, then opinion of one can be communicated to the other or the final opinion of the editor can be communicated to the reviewer if requested for. This will help one’s reviewing skills.
My best wishes to Dr. Hemant Jain and all the editorial staff of JCDR for their untiring efforts to bring out this journal. I strongly recommend medical fraternity to publish their valuable research work in this esteemed journal, JCDR".



Dr. Mamta Gupta
Consultant
(Ex HOD Obs &Gynae, Hindu Rao Hospital and associated NDMC Medical College, Delhi)
Aug 2018




Dr. Rajendra Kumar Ghritlaharey

"I wish to thank Dr. Hemant Jain, Editor-in-Chief Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (JCDR), for asking me to write up few words.
Writing is the representation of language in a textual medium i e; into the words and sentences on paper. Quality medical manuscript writing in particular, demands not only a high-quality research, but also requires accurate and concise communication of findings and conclusions, with adherence to particular journal guidelines. In medical field whether working in teaching, private, or in corporate institution, everyone wants to excel in his / her own field and get recognised by making manuscripts publication.


Authors are the souls of any journal, and deserve much respect. To publish a journal manuscripts are needed from authors. Authors have a great responsibility for producing facts of their work in terms of number and results truthfully and an individual honesty is expected from authors in this regards. Both ways its true "No authors-No manuscripts-No journals" and "No journals–No manuscripts–No authors". Reviewing a manuscript is also a very responsible and important task of any peer-reviewed journal and to be taken seriously. It needs knowledge on the subject, sincerity, honesty and determination. Although the process of reviewing a manuscript is a time consuming task butit is expected to give one's best remarks within the time frame of the journal.
Salient features of the JCDR: It is a biomedical, multidisciplinary (including all medical and dental specialities), e-journal, with wide scope and extensive author support. At the same time, a free text of manuscript is available in HTML and PDF format. There is fast growing authorship and readership with JCDR as this can be judged by the number of articles published in it i e; in Feb 2007 of its first issue, it contained 5 articles only, and now in its recent volume published in April 2011, it contained 67 manuscripts. This e-journal is fulfilling the commitments and objectives sincerely, (as stated by Editor-in-chief in his preface to first edition) i e; to encourage physicians through the internet, especially from the developing countries who witness a spectrum of disease and acquire a wealth of knowledge to publish their experiences to benefit the medical community in patients care. I also feel that many of us have work of substance, newer ideas, adequate clinical materials but poor in medical writing and hesitation to submit the work and need help. JCDR provides authors help in this regards.
Timely publication of journal: Publication of manuscripts and bringing out the issue in time is one of the positive aspects of JCDR and is possible with strong support team in terms of peer reviewers, proof reading, language check, computer operators, etc. This is one of the great reasons for authors to submit their work with JCDR. Another best part of JCDR is "Online first Publications" facilities available for the authors. This facility not only provides the prompt publications of the manuscripts but at the same time also early availability of the manuscripts for the readers.
Indexation and online availability: Indexation transforms the journal in some sense from its local ownership to the worldwide professional community and to the public.JCDR is indexed with Embase & EMbiology, Google Scholar, Index Copernicus, Chemical Abstracts Service, Journal seek Database, Indian Science Abstracts, to name few of them. Manuscriptspublished in JCDR are available on major search engines ie; google, yahoo, msn.
In the era of fast growing newer technologies, and in computer and internet friendly environment the manuscripts preparation, submission, review, revision, etc and all can be done and checked with a click from all corer of the world, at any time. Of course there is always a scope for improvement in every field and none is perfect. To progress, one needs to identify the areas of one's weakness and to strengthen them.
It is well said that "happy beginning is half done" and it fits perfectly with JCDR. It has grown considerably and I feel it has already grown up from its infancy to adolescence, achieving the status of standard online e-journal form Indian continent since its inception in Feb 2007. This had been made possible due to the efforts and the hard work put in it. The way the JCDR is improving with every new volume, with good quality original manuscripts, makes it a quality journal for readers. I must thank and congratulate Dr Hemant Jain, Editor-in-Chief JCDR and his team for their sincere efforts, dedication, and determination for making JCDR a fast growing journal.
Every one of us: authors, reviewers, editors, and publisher are responsible for enhancing the stature of the journal. I wish for a great success for JCDR."



Thanking you
With sincere regards
Dr. Rajendra Kumar Ghritlaharey, M.S., M. Ch., FAIS
Associate Professor,
Department of Paediatric Surgery, Gandhi Medical College & Associated
Kamla Nehru & Hamidia Hospitals Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462 001 (India)
E-mail: drrajendrak1@rediffmail.com
On May 11,2011




Dr. Shankar P.R.

"On looking back through my Gmail archives after being requested by the journal to write a short editorial about my experiences of publishing with the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (JCDR), I came across an e-mail from Dr. Hemant Jain, Editor, in March 2007, which introduced the new electronic journal. The main features of the journal which were outlined in the e-mail were extensive author support, cash rewards, the peer review process, and other salient features of the journal.
Over a span of over four years, we (I and my colleagues) have published around 25 articles in the journal. In this editorial, I plan to briefly discuss my experiences of publishing with JCDR and the strengths of the journal and to finally address the areas for improvement.
My experiences of publishing with JCDR: Overall, my experiences of publishing withJCDR have been positive. The best point about the journal is that it responds to queries from the author. This may seem to be simple and not too much to ask for, but unfortunately, many journals in the subcontinent and from many developing countries do not respond or they respond with a long delay to the queries from the authors 1. The reasons could be many, including lack of optimal secretarial and other support. Another problem with many journals is the slowness of the review process. Editorial processing and peer review can take anywhere between a year to two years with some journals. Also, some journals do not keep the contributors informed about the progress of the review process. Due to the long review process, the articles can lose their relevance and topicality. A major benefit with JCDR is the timeliness and promptness of its response. In Dr Jain's e-mail which was sent to me in 2007, before the introduction of the Pre-publishing system, he had stated that he had received my submission and that he would get back to me within seven days and he did!
Most of the manuscripts are published within 3 to 4 months of their submission if they are found to be suitable after the review process. JCDR is published bimonthly and the accepted articles were usually published in the next issue. Recently, due to the increased volume of the submissions, the review process has become slower and it ?? Section can take from 4 to 6 months for the articles to be reviewed. The journal has an extensive author support system and it has recently introduced a paid expedited review process. The journal also mentions the average time for processing the manuscript under different submission systems - regular submission and expedited review.
Strengths of the journal: The journal has an online first facility in which the accepted manuscripts may be published on the website before being included in a regular issue of the journal. This cuts down the time between their acceptance and the publication. The journal is indexed in many databases, though not in PubMed. The editorial board should now take steps to index the journal in PubMed. The journal has a system of notifying readers through e-mail when a new issue is released. Also, the articles are available in both the HTML and the PDF formats. I especially like the new and colorful page format of the journal. Also, the access statistics of the articles are available. The prepublication and the manuscript tracking system are also helpful for the authors.
Areas for improvement: In certain cases, I felt that the peer review process of the manuscripts was not up to international standards and that it should be strengthened. Also, the number of manuscripts in an issue is high and it may be difficult for readers to go through all of them. The journal can consider tightening of the peer review process and increasing the quality standards for the acceptance of the manuscripts. I faced occasional problems with the online manuscript submission (Pre-publishing) system, which have to be addressed.
Overall, the publishing process with JCDR has been smooth, quick and relatively hassle free and I can recommend other authors to consider the journal as an outlet for their work."



Dr. P. Ravi Shankar
KIST Medical College, P.O. Box 14142, Kathmandu, Nepal.
E-mail: ravi.dr.shankar@gmail.com
On April 2011

Important Notice

Original article / research
Year : 2024 | Month : June | Volume : 18 | Issue : 6 | Page : ZE17 - ZE21 Full Version

Artificial Intelligence and Digital Pathology: A Narrative Review on Advancements and Opportunities for Improved Diagnosis and Treatment

Published: June 1, 2024 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2024/67706.19538

Madhura Umesh Dhamapurkar, Ratanprabha Dhanraj Barbade, SM Meghana, Sandip Kulkarni, Pournima Godge

1. Intern, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Terna Dental College, Nerul, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. 2. Intern, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Terna Dental College, Nerul, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. 3. Associate Professor, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Terna Dental College, Nerul, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. 4. Associate Professor, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Terna Dental College, Nerul, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. 5. Professor and Head, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Terna Dental College, Nerul, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Correspondence Address :
Madhura Umesh Dhamapurkar,
Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Terna Dental College, Plot No. 12, Sector-22, Nerul, Navi Mumbai-400706, Maharashtra, India.
E-mail: madhurabds@gmail.com

Abstract

Recent advancements in Digital Pathology (DP) have empowered pathologists to provide more accurate diagnosis through digital means. Whole-slide Imaging (WSI) technology has enabled the digital scanning, representation, and preservation of numerous tissue slides, while Artificial Intelligence (AI), image analysis, and Machine Learning (ML) have enhanced disease diagnosis accuracy. There is a growing acceptance of the transition from traditional glass slide histopathological diagnosis to AI-assisted diagnosis using digital slides, driven by the substantial data accumulation that demands computer-aided analysis. Maximising the potential of AI breakthroughs in DP is critical, offering significant research opportunities across related fields. DP offers significant potential for telepathology, second opinions, and educational purposes. Additionally, it presents substantial research opportunities in image computing due to its vast reservoir of data. Pathologists have discerned characteristics beyond the naked eye’s perception by analysing “sub-visual” images using DP. The flexibility of workflow provided by DP will be the main reason for its widespread adaptation and acceptance. DP also has the potential to be an essential tool to maintain operations of the pathology department in case of public health emergencies, which will streamline, fast-track, and improve patient care. Given the expanding accessibility and prevalence of the internet, it is crucial to develop innovations like DP. This technology catalyses enhancing patient care, opening avenues for further advancements in healthcare delivery. The purpose of present review was to bring to light the great potential that DP encompasses to improve diagnosis and treatment planning, which will ultimately lead to better patient care. However, integrating DP systems necessitates collaboration from various stakeholders beyond the Pathology Department. Despite evident advantages, several challenges must be addressed for the successful implementation and mass acceptance. Therefore, this narrative review aimed to illuminate the substantial potential inherent in DP for enhancing both diagnosis and treatment planning processes, consequently fostering improvements in patient care and also understanding DP, highlighting its challenges and opportunities. It also delves into the role of AI, image analysis, and ML in aiding disease diagnosis and reporting. With social distancing measures in place during the Coronavirus Disease -2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, pathologists were able to remotely access and analyse DP images, further cementing the importance of DP in current scenarios.

Keywords

Digitalisation, Slide imaging, Slide preparation, Telemedicine, Virtual microscopy

Introduction
Over thousands of years, disease concepts, diagnosis, and treatment have evolved significantly. The recent digital healthcare revolution, along with the development of microscopes, has further accelerated progress in disease management. The introduction of the microscope revolutionised scientific inquiry, shifting the focus from entire organs to tissues and eventually to cells (1). This transformation gave rise to histopathology, a dominant discipline in pathology for the past 150 years (1). The advancement in pathology can be divided into three revolutions: first, second, and third, as illustrated in (Table/Fig 1). The combination of AI and DP is undoubtedly the third revolution of pathology (2). The rapidly growing field of DP has changed the way we approach the diagnosis and treatment of diseases (2). Pathology images can now be digitally stored, processed, and analysed using potent ML algorithms by leveraging digital imaging technology (3). As a result, diagnostic accuracy, effectiveness, and speed have significantly increased, empowering medical professionals to make better decisions and treat patients (3).

In recent years, pathology has seen significant changes as a result of digitisation and the development of new computing technologies, similar to other medical specialties. The era of optical microscopy, which has lasted for more than 100 years, is coming to an end.

A new era in which pathology diagnosis are made using digitised WSIs is being ushered in by DP (3). WSI has emerged and evolved immensely over the last 20 years, enabling complete slides to be scanned and permanently saved at high resolution (4). The invention of WSI in 1999 by Wetzel A and Gilbertson J made it possible to digitally convert the entire tissue on a glass slide into a high-resolution Virtual Slide (VS) (5). A WSI, also known as a virtual image or digital slide, refers to a digitised representation of an entire histopathology slide or a specific region within it (6). The technology for acquiring VS and its applications in various pathology subspecialties has grown exponentially over the past two decades (7). As the adoption and use of WSI increase, a greater volume of digital tissue data becomes accessible for applications involving ML and other methods derived from AI (8). In recent years, several computer algorithms, such as the one developed by Yuan Y et al., have been developed to assist pathologists in diagnosing and predicting outcomes, particularly in the analysis of pathology images stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) (9). For automated or computer-aided diagnosis, pathologists have heavily researched the development and improvement of AI and ML algorithms. WSI is an effective tool for creating and implementing these algorithms for use in diagnostic pathology (7). Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a surge in demand for telemedicine, which has increased the need for digitised WSI for virtual diagnosis and treatment. Farris AB et al., in 2017, suggested that when implementing telepathology, it is essential to thoroughly evaluate network connections and file server needs while ensuring strict compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations (10),(11). In terms of security, HIPAA requires that all medical images have backup and disaster management plans in place (12). This review will elaborate on WSI, the integration of DP in clinical practice, the workflow of DP, image analysis, and ML, the advantages and disadvantages of DP, and DP in times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Review Of Literature

A comprehensive literature review was carried out, involving a meticulous search of published peer-reviewed journals. Articles spanning from 2006 to 2023 were carefully examined, with the search conducted exclusively on the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. The search criteria encompassed the terms “DP and AI”, “WSI”, “Challenges and opportunities in DP”, and “DP during the COVID-19 pandemic”. Ultimately, a total of 34 journal references were selected, all directly pertinent to the topic of “AI and DP: A Narrative Review on Advancements and Opportunities for Improved Diagnosis and Treatment”. This narrative review was conducted at TPCT’s Terna Dental College, spanning from March 2023 to September 2023.
Discussion
Whole-slide Imaging (WSI)

The WSI is the process of digitising a histopathology slide in its entirety or a chosen focal area (8). The four sequential steps of WSI are illustrated in (Table/Fig 2).

The four Sequential Steps of WSI

Image acquisition: This involves converting glass slides into high-quality digital images using specialised scanners (8).

Storage: The high-resolution digital images are subsequently stored in a manner and location that facilitates convenient access and organisation (8).

Processing: Once stored, the images may undergo processing or editing, if required, to improve quality or add annotations to certain features (8).

Visualisation: Ultimately, the images are showcased for examination, evaluation, or sharing with others, typically using specialised software (for example: Image J) that facilitates navigation through the digital image (8). Image capture and image display are the two systems that make up the hardware parts of the device needed to acquire images. Digital scanners, which are essentially trinocular microscopes with robotic illumination intensity control, mechanical stages, objectives, coarse and fine focusing capabilities, and cameras with high resolution, are used to capture images (7). WSI scanners capture sequential images in two manners as illustrated in (Table/Fig 3). To produce a digital image of the entire slide, multiple images (tiles or lines, as appropriate) are taken and digitally assembled (or “stitched”) (7). The WSI can be categorised as bright field, fluorescent, and multispectral when scanners are combined with slide staining methods as illustrated in (Table/Fig 4) (8). The choice of a WSI system is a crucial first step on the path to comfortable image viewing. It is essential to view digitised slides on monitors with sufficient resolution (8).

Integration of DP in Clinical Practice

Glass slides are converted into digital images through whole slide scanning, which can be interactively navigated with the right software. Prerequisites for digitally recording the slides: To reproduce the desired magnifications, the slide must be recorded at a sufficiently high resolution and with an adequate colour depth. According to Kumar N et al., a resolution of roughly 0.25 μm per pixel and a 24-bit colour depth, a typical WSI scanned at 40x has these characteristics. As a result, a 1 mm2 area of the slide contains 384 million bits of information, resulting in a file size of roughly 48 MB in the absence of additional measures to manage the data more effectively (7). In WSI, there are numerous techniques for image compression file size reduction. The file size is frequently reduced by a factor of seven or more when using Joint Photography Expert Group (JPEG), JPEG 2000, or Lempel-Ziv-Welch (LZW) compression, which is used by many vendors to reduce file size to manageable levels (7). To facilitate a streamlined method of loading images, WSIs are stored at multiple resolutions (7). Viewing the digital image is also an important component, and research has suggested that diagnosing scanned glass slides is more effective on computer widescreens compared to iPads (8). Popular image viewing software that allows finger touch annotations using an onscreen virtual keyboard and allows the export of images in different formats are:

• Path XL;
• Surface Slide;
• Aperio Image Scope (7).

A decision has to be made by organisations regarding the use of a cloud-based or server-based network that fulfills the needs of the users and complies with the information system protocols of the organisation as illustrated in (Table/Fig 5) (8). WSI provides a chance to increase the number of tools that are available to users, adding digital annotations, quick navigation/magnification, and computer-assisted viewing and analysis (8).

The study done by Bauer TW and Slaw RJ supports the safety and effectiveness of WSI for diagnosis in surgical pathology (13). The data collected by Borowsky AD et al., indicates that pathologists who regularly engage in manual slide review can achieve primary histologic diagnosis from WSI review with an accuracy level that matches or exceeds the current standard of practice, which involves viewing glass slides through light microscopy (14). Several other studies indicate that interpreting pathology images as single-plane WSI offers diagnostic quality on par with the traditional centuries-old practice of viewing tissue sections mounted on glass slides through a light microscope (13),(15),(16). There are innumerable uses of digital WSI in clinical practice, including primary diagnosis, second opinion, telepathology, quality assurance, archiving, sharing, education, conferencing, image analysis, ML, research/publications, tracking, tissue procurement, marketing, and business (12).

Workflow of DP

The workflow of DP represents a transformative evolution in the field, where traditional glass slides are digitised to harness the power of cutting-edge technology. It has been previously established that WSIs are non inferior to traditional glass slides for primary diagnosis in anatomic pathology (13),(15).

A simplified flowchart for the workflow of DP has been illustrated in (Table/Fig 6) (8),(17).

Miscellaneous steps in the workflow: One must be aware that when creating a workflow for DP, additional steps are included when tissue sections are intended for digitisation in addition to the regular histological workflow, these include (Table/Fig 7) (8). Verifying the scan quality is necessary once slides have been converted to digital format. Due to inappropriate slide preparation before scanning, inadequately focused scans, compensating lines from incorrectly stitched lines or tiles, and other circumstances, scanning artifacts might alter the outcomes (8).

Image analysis and Machine Learning (ML): The DP generates extensive data, offering significant research potential in image computing. However, it also presents substantial computational and technical obstacles. Existing tools for image analysis and disease detection struggle to handle high-resolution whole-slide images. Image analysis can uncover subtle features in digital slides that may elude pathologists’ visual examination (Table/Fig 8). Computer-based diagnosis, content-based picture retrieval, and finding novel clinicopathological correlations are all examples of machine-learning applications in DP (18). By automating processes like identifying cancer cells, AI and DP may be able to enhance the level of quality, precision, and effectiveness (19). Despite challenges such as tissue colour variations and the absence of z-axis data, image analysis and ML offer significant potential to assist pathologists in disease diagnosis and early detection (Table/Fig 9) (18),(20). Image analysis and deep learning will drive the shift from qualitative to quantitative pathology soon. By formalising computer-aided pathology development and validation procedures, increasing the volume of validation data, and improving knowledge of computer-aided pathology diagnosis, confidence in diagnostic outcomes will be enhanced (21).

Advanced multiplex tissue imaging techniques along with AI and DP technologies designed for use with normal clinical samples can produce precise depictions of the intricate spatial structure of the cancer ecosystem (22). It is anticipated that the use of AI in pathological diagnosis would not only lighten the labour of pathologists but additionally help standardise the diagnosis, which is otherwise subjective and may result in subpar treatment (19). DP and image analysis also provide a vast array of applications in the field of clinical trials (23). Utilising DP image systems and solutions offers numerous practical advantages that can significantly benefit translational medicine and clinical practice (24). Different components that contribute to AI-driven DP are illustrated in (Table/Fig 10). Two approaches to AI are illustrated in (Table/Fig 11) (25).

Advantages and Disadvantages

The DP, the conversion of conventional glass slides into digital tissue sample images, presents both advantages and disadvantages (26),(27).

Advantages:

• Improved consultation and collaboration between experts, regardless of distance obstacles.
• Quantitative analysis increases the ease of understanding treatment efficiency and other issues that are difficult with traditional pathology.
• Effective workflow.
• Education, training, and teaching enable interactive sessions.
• Telepathology facilitates expert opinions from all over the world with ease, especially on rare and complex diseases.
• Ease of telemedicine and teleconsultation.

Disadvantages:

• Lack of cost-effectiveness due to a significant amount of initial investment.
• Acquiring the learning curve by pathologists and staff.
• Data safety concerns when dealing with sensitive patient data.
• Limited accessibility in semi-urban and rural areas.

DP in Times of COVID-19 Pandemic

The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic is a recent crisis that confined everyone to their homes and saw the implementation of social distancing. DP came to the rescue of many institutions to assist with treatment and diagnosis while adhering to COVID-19 norms (28),(29),(30),(31). The COVID-19 crisis led to the normalisation of working from home and digital transmission of data (29). The availability of faster internet networks and cheaper storage helped with working remotely. For example, Universitair Medisch Centrum Utrecht in the Netherlands started to build-up DP infrastructure in 2008 and was able to adapt to this unique situation of the COVID-19 pandemic (30). A crisis like this amplifies the importance of having a DP system in place to be prepared in advance for any unforeseen incidences in the future. A UK guidance study done by Williams BJ et al., from the RCPath offers recommendations for using DP during the COVID-19 pandemic (31). A recent US study done by Hanna MG et al., examined the “emergency” adoption of DP in home offices during the pandemic, made possible by temporary regulatory waivers (32). This study found that there was close agreement between glass slides and digital images for diagnosis and clinically relevant parameters (32). Participants managed to work on non-DP dedicated hardware, despite some using small screens. Internet speeds were generally sufficient, with 13% having connections below 20 Mbit/s. WSI latency was affected by internet speed but not computer performance. Most pathologists (90%) expressed high comfort levels with DP and the option to request glass slides (32). Certainly, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the transition to a digital age, where DP, along with advancements in AI, image analysis, and ML, has become indispensable, especially in the fields of cancer diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment, thanks to their clear advantages (33),(34).
Conclusion
Digital pathology epitomises a transformative era in pathology, integrating cutting-edge imaging and AI technologies to significantly elevate diagnostic precision and therapeutic efficacy. Its seamless assimilation into clinical workflows underscores its potential to furnish tailored treatment modalities in alignment with precision medicine’s objectives. Despite facing implementation challenges, the empirical advantages of digital pathology in research, education, and clinical realms signal a trajectory of expansion. This convergence of traditional expertise with contemporary methodologies heralds a pivotal juncture in pathology, promising expedited and accurate diagnoses, thereby fostering enhanced patient outcomes. As AI continues to permeate society, prioritising the professional development of healthcare practitioners in digital pathology is paramount to fully capitalise on its transformative potential in advancing medical practice.
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DOI and Others
DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2024/67706.19538

Date of Submission: Sep 25, 2023
Date of Peer Review: Jan 20, 2024
Date of Acceptance: Apr 09, 2024
Date of Publishing: Jun 01, 2024

Author declaration:
• Financial or Other Competing Interests: None
• Was informed consent obtained from the subjects involved in the study? NA
• For any images presented appropriate consent has been obtained from the subjects. NA

PLAGIARISM CHECKING METHODS:
• Plagiarism X-checker: Sep 25, 2023
• Manual Googling: Jan 24, 2024
• iThenticate Software: Apr 08, 2024 (8%)

Etymology: Author Origin

Emendations: 6
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