A Pilot Validation Study Comparing FIBI, a Slide-Free Imaging Method, with Standard FFPE H&E Tissue Section Histology for Primary Surgical Pathology Diagnosis

Abstract

Introduction: Digital pathology whole slide images (WSI) have been recently approved by the FDA for primary diagnosis in clinical surgical pathology practices. These WSI are generated by digitally scanning standard formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) H&E-stained tissue sections mounted on glass microscope slides. Novel imaging methods are being developed that can capture the surface of tissue without requiring prior fixation, paraffin embedding, or tissue sectioning. One of these methods, FIBI (Fluorescence Imitating Brightfield Imaging), an optically simple and low-cost technique, was developed by our team and used in this study. Methods: 100 de-identified surgical pathology samples were obtained from the UC Davis Health Pathology Laboratory. Samples were first digitally imaged by FIBI, and then embedded in paraffin, sectioned at 4 microns, mounted on glass slides, H&E stained, and scanned using the Aperio/Leica AT2 scanner. The resulting digital images from both FIBI and H&E scan sets were uploaded to PathPresenter and viewed in random order and modality (FIBI or H&E) by each of 4 reading pathologists. After a 30-day washout, the same 100 cases, in random order, were presented in the alternate modality to what was first shown, to the same 4 reading pathologists. The data set consisted, therefore, of 100 reference diagnoses and 800 study pathologist reads (400 FIBI and 400 H&E). Each study read was compared to the reference diagnosis for that case, and also compared to that reader's diagnosis across both modalities for each case. Categories of concordance, minor and major discordance were adjudicated by the study team based on established criteria. Results: The combined category, concordance or minor discordance, was scored as no major discordance. The overall agreement rate (compared to the reference diagnosis), across 800 reads, was 97.9%. This consisted of 400 FIBI reads at 97.0% vs. reference and 400 H&E reads vs. reference at 98.8%. Minor discordances (defined as alternative diagnoses without clinical treatment or outcome implications) were 6.1% overall, 7.2% for FIBI and 5.0% for HE. Conclusions: Pathologists without specific experience or training in FIBI imaging interpretation can provide accurate diagnosis from FIBI slide-free images. Concordance/discordance rates are similar to published rates for comparisons of WSI to standard light microscopy of glass slides for primary diagnosis that led to FDA approval. The present study was more limited in scope but suggests that a follow-on formal clinical trial is feasible. It may be possible, therefore, to develop a slide-free, non-destructive approach for primary pathology diagnosis. Such a method promises improved speed, reduced cost, and better conservation of tissue for advanced ancillary studies.

Utility of fluorescence imitating brightfield imaging microscopy for the diagnosis of feline chronic enteropathy

“…The tissue biopsies included in the preliminary study originated from the bladder, larynx, endocrine, breast, reproductive, gastrointestinal, and soft tissues with diagnoses including normal, hyperplasia, benign neoplasms, cancers, and inflammatory lesions. 6 Future studies are needed to evaluate and validate the utility of FIBI for neoplastic and noninflammatory lesions.…”

“…A validation study evaluating the diagnostic concordance of FIBI images compared with conventional H&E assessment on a wide array of human tissues including breast, bladder, and gastrointestinal tissue, with diagnosis varying from normal/benign, cancer, and noncancerous origins, reported a concordance of 97.0%. 6 This observational, proof-of-concept study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic utility of FIBI for the pathological assessment of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) intestinal tissue biopsies from cats with FCE. We hypothesized that FIBI is an efficient, affordable, and reliable diagnostic tool for the diagnosis and differentiation of FCE.…”

“…A validation study evaluating the diagnostic concordance of FIBI images compared with conventional H&E assessment on a wide array of human tissues including breast, bladder, and gastrointestinal tissue, with diagnosis varying from normal/benign, cancer, and noncancerous origins, reported a concordance of 97.0%. 6 …”

Pilot study of fluorescence imitating brightfield imaging for rapid, slide‐free dermatopathology

“…However, these technologies are expensive and require complex instrumentation, which has precluded widespread adoption of slide‐free microscopy in pathology. In contrast, we present a novel slide‐free microscopy technique that is inexpensive and relies on simple optical instrumentation 11 . Fluorescence imitating brightfield imaging (FIBI) uses standard microscope optics and a color camera to detect signals from tissue specimens stained with standard H&E. Even though an epifluorescence light path is used, the resulting FIBI images already resemble traditional H&E‐stained slides imaged via brightfield; and deep learning mode‐matching can be used to further increase the resemblance.…”

“…In contrast, we present a novel slide-free microscopy technique that is inexpensive and relies on simple optical instrumentation. 11 Fluorescence imitating brightfield imaging (FIBI) uses standard microscope optics and a color camera to detect signals from tissue specimens stained with standard H&E. Even though an epifluorescence light path is used, the resulting FIBI images already resemble traditional H&E-stained slides imaged via brightfield; and deep learning mode-matching can be used to further increase the resemblance. Our study compares FIBI microscopy with conventional H&E for dermatopathology specimens.…”