title: Use of three-dimensional microscopy with multiple oblique illumination in evaluating cytopathology preparations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze whether the use of multiple oblique illumination (MOI), in contrast to axial illumination (AI), improves imagery in bright field microscopy. Specimens containing thick cell clusters, such as cervical Pap smears, are often misread because of out-of-focus cell clusters. We hypothesized that visualization of these specimens with MOI would enhance this information as compared with AI.
  
  
  METHODS
  Micrometer images and Pap smears were analyzed in focus, and 8 and 40 microns out of focus by MOI and AI. All fields were captured to a remote computer, histograms were constructed, and mean light intensity was calculated. Mathematical formulation was used to define the histogram distribution of the micrometer images. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and Newman-Keuls test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  K(focus) was improved (P < .01) and at 20 and 40 microns out of focus, mean light intensities were greater (P < .003, P < .05, respectively) with MOI as compared to AI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MOI improves out-of-focus information by increasing light penetration through the specimen and enhancing contrast and resolution.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Cooper Health System/University Medical Center, Camden, New Jersey, USA.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hewitt
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tarnoff
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goodman
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ramsamooj
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Doolin
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019044:Image Cytometry / Q000379:methods*; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008027:Light; D018715:Microscopy, Video / Q000379:methods*; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014626:Vaginal Smears