Appearance normalization of histology slides

Comput Med Imaging Graph. 2015 Jul:43:89-98. doi: 10.1016/j.compmedimag.2015.03.005. Epub 2015 Mar 21.

Abstract

This paper presents a method for automatic color and intensity normalization of digitized histology slides stained with two different agents. In comparison to previous approaches, prior information on the stain vectors is used in the plane estimation process, resulting in improved stability of the estimates. Due to the prevalence of hematoxylin and eosin staining for histology slides, the proposed method has significant practical utility. In particular, it can be used as a first step to standardize appearance across slides and is effective at countering effects due to differing stain amounts and protocols and counteracting slide fading. The approach is validated against non-prior plane-fitting using synthetic experiments and 13 real datasets. Results of application of the method to adjustment of faded slides are given, and the effectiveness of the method in aiding statistical classification is shown.

Keywords: Appearance normalization; Histology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Coloring Agents
  • Eosine Yellowish-(YS)
  • Hematoxylin
  • Histological Techniques*
  • Humans
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / standards*
  • Microscopy / standards*
  • Models, Statistical
  • Staining and Labeling

Substances

  • Coloring Agents
  • Eosine Yellowish-(YS)
  • Hematoxylin