Digital imaging of surgical specimens using a wet scanning technique.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a simple method of recording digital images of surgical specimens on to a personal computer (PC) for use in presentations for teaching and reporting of their pathology.


METHODS
A perspex box was constructed to international A4 size 100 mm deep. This box had a base of 3 mm clear perspex with sides and top of 5 mm white perspex. This box was partially filled with distilled water and a specimen immersed in it. It was then placed on top of a standard A4 scanner. The specimen was then scanned into a PC using image capture software.


RESULTS
The images produced showed noticeable improvement over normal photographs, especially with specimens prone to wet highlights.


CONCLUSIONS
The method has proved to be a rapid and efficient means of producing macroscopic images of surgical specimens.
Matthews
T J
TJ
Department of Cellular Pathology, Epsom General Hospital, Dorking Road, Epsom, Surrey KT18 7EG, UK. matthew@sthelier.sghms.ac.uk
Denney
P A
PA
D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology; D004501:Education, Medical; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007414:Intestinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D010336:Pathology / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods*