A process model for direct correlation between computed tomography and histopathology application in lung cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Multimodal imaging techniques for capturing normal and diseased human anatomy and physiology are being developed to benefit patient clinical care, research, and education. In the past, the incorporation of histopathology into these multimodal datasets has been complicated by the large differences in image quality, content, and spatial association.


METHODS
We have developed a novel system, the large-scale image microtome array (LIMA), to bridge the gap between nonstructurally destructive and destructive imaging such that reliable registration between radiological data and histopathology can be achieved. Registration algorithms have been designed to align the multimodal datasets, which include computed tomography, computed micro-tomography, LIMA, and histopathology data to a common coordinate system.


RESULTS
The resulting volumetric dataset provides an abundance of valuable information relating to the tissue sample including density, anatomical structure, color, texture, and cellular information in three dimensions. An image processing pipeline has been established to register all the multimodal data to a common coordinate system.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, we have chosen to use human lung cancer nodules as an example; however, the flexibility of the image acquisition and subsequent processing algorithms makes it applicable to any soft organ tissue. A novel process model has been established to generate cross registered multimodal datasets for the investigation of human lung cancer nodule content and associated image-based representation.
Sieren
Jessica C
JC
Department of Internal Medicine, C325-GH, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 55242, USA.
Weydert
Jamie
J
Namati
Eman
E
Thiesse
Jacqueline
J
Sieren
Jered P
JP
Reinhardt
Joseph M
JM
Hoffman
Eric A
EA
McLennan
Geoffrey
G
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D003074:Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013382:Subtraction Technique