title: A three-dimensional multivariate image processing technique for the analysis of FTIR spectroscopic images of multiple tissue sections.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Three-dimensional (3D) multivariate Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) image maps of tissue sections are presented. A villoglandular adenocarcinoma from a cervical biopsy with a number of interesting anatomical features was used as a model system to demonstrate the efficacy of the technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four FTIR images recorded using a focal plane array detector of adjacent tissue sections were stitched together using a MATLAB routine and placed in a single data matrix for multivariate analysis using Cytospec. Unsupervised Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (UHCA) was performed simultaneously on all 4 sections and 4 clusters plotted. The four UHCA maps were then stacked together and interpolated with a box function using SCIRun software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The resultant 3D-images can be rotated in three-dimensions, sliced and made semi-transparent to view the internal structure of the tissue block. A number of anatomical and histopathological features including connective tissue, red blood cells, inflammatory exudate and glandular cells could be identified in the cluster maps and correlated with Hematoxylin & Eosin stained sections. The mean extracted spectra from individual clusters provide macromolecular information on tissue components.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  3D-multivariate imaging provides a new avenue to study the shape and penetration of important anatomical and histopathological features based on the underlying macromolecular chemistry and therefore has clear potential in biology and medicine.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Biospectroscopy and School of Chemistry, Monash University, 3800 Victoria, Australia. bayden.wood@sci.monash.edu.au
authors.forename: Bayden R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: Keith R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Bambery
authors.forename: Corey J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.forename: Don
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McNaughton