title: Automated image cytometry in cytopathology.
abstract: Image cytometry is used more and more for the study of clinical cytology, notably for the determination of morphometrical and densitometrical values, the quantification of monoclonal antibody labelling and the detection of DNA probes after in situ hybridisation. Aspects of automated and interactive image cytometry are discussed, including a brief evaluation of limitations and advantages of the image technique in connection to flow cytometry. Some new technologies such as a sampling technique for paraffin embedded tissue and a new automated microscope, which are of special interest to the pathologist, are described in more detail. Applications in image cytometry include diagnostic and prognostic studies. Examples of diagnostic studies are the automated screening for cervical cancer and the detection of rare remaining cancer cells (minimal residual disease) in the peripheral blood. The use of archival material in image cytometry allows interesting retrospective studies with regard to the relation of the course of the disease with the ploidy characteristics of the tumor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cytochemistry and Cytometry, University of Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Ploem
mesh_terms: D001322:Autoanalysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D015342:DNA Probes; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010336:Pathology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D015342:DNA Probes