A Visualization, Navigation, and Annotation System for Dermatopathology Training

摘要

Dermatopathology education meaningfully relies on consultation of books, which are expensive, quickly outdatedand have limited possibilities. In recent years, virtual microscopy, a method that enables examination of digitizedmicroscopy samples, has earn interest because of its possibilities in terms of interaction, availability, usability,low costs and adaptation to multiple clinic scenarios. This work introduces a customized low-cost system forconsultation of dermatopathology samples. First, physical slides are digitized using an optical microscope coupledto a digital camera controlled by a custom-motorized scanner. Then, digitized images are automatically stitchedto assembly the Whole Slide Image (WSI). A web application, developed using open source tools, gives accessto such WSI and allows users to interact with the content by panning and zooming. The application alsoallows to hand-free annotate specific regions. A set of 100 dermatopathology slides, provided by the PathologyDepartment of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, representing basic lesions and inammatory skin diseases(based on Ackerman patterns) were digitized. Each WSI contains diagnosis and annotations of relevant regions.The platform is currently being used by trainees who highlight the bene ts of this kind of tools that complementtheir training and help to improve their diagnostic skills.