title: An alternative reference space for H&E color normalization.
abstract: Digital imaging of H&E stained slides has enabled the application of image processing to support pathology workflows. Potential applications include computer-aided diagnostics, advanced quantification tools, and innovative visualization platforms. However, the intrinsic variability of biological tissue and the vast differences in tissue preparation protocols often lead to significant image variability that can hamper the effectiveness of these computational tools. We developed an alternative representation for H&E images that operates within a space that is more amenable to many of these image processing tools. The algorithm to derive this representation operates by exploiting the correlation between color and the spatial properties of the biological structures present in most H&E images. In this way, images are transformed into a structure-centric space in which images are segregated into tissue structure channels. We demonstrate that this framework can be extended to achieve color normalization, effectively reducing inter-slide variability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America.
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1722-6773
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Zarella
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America.
authors.forename: Chan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yeoh
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Science, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America.
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Breen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Eastern Regional Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America.
authors.forename: Fernando U
authors.initials: FU
authors.lastname: Garcia
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS) / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006416:Hematoxylin / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D013194:Staining and Labeling
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS); D006416:Hematoxylin