title: Automated quantification of colonic crypt morphology using integrated microscopy and optical coherence tomography.
abstract: Colonic crypt morphological patterns have shown a close correlation with histopathological diagnosis. Imaging technologies such as high-magnification chromoendoscopy and endoscopic optical coherence tomography (OCT) are capable of visualizing crypt morphology in vivo. We have imaged colonic tissue in vitro to simulate high-magnification chromoendoscopy and endoscopic OCT and demonstrate quantification of morphological features of colonic crypts using automated image analysis. 2-D microscopic images with methylene blue staining and correlated 3-D OCT volumes were segmented using marker-based watershed segmentation. 2-D and 3-D crypt morphological features were quantified. The accuracy of segmentation was validated, and measured features are in agreement with known crypt morphology. This work can enable studies to determine the clinical utility of high-magnification chromoendoscopy and endoscopic OCT, as well as studies to evaluate crypt morphology as a biomarker for colonic disease progression.
authors.affiliation: Case Western Reserve University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.forename: Yinsheng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Zhilin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Joseph E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Willis
authors.forename: Kayode
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Olowe
authors.forename: Michael V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Sivak
authors.forename: Andrew M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Rollins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D001185:Artificial Intelligence; D003106:Colon / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018511:Systems Integration; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult