The advent of digital pathology: A depth review

Digital pathology is an image based information environment which is enabled by computer technology that allows for the management of information generated from a digital slide. Digital pathology is enabled in part by virtual microscopy, which is the practice of converting glass slides into digital slides that can be viewed, managed, shared and analyzed on a computer monitor. Growing demand for accurate and reliable diagnosis along with issues of patient safety is pushing traditional diagnosis towards an update. Over the last two-three decades the field of optics has made great advancements in the form of ever-improving optics and digital cameras. Persistent gains in computer processing power, data transfer speeds, advances in software and cloud storage solutions have enabled the use of digital images for a wide variety of purposes in pathology. High-resolution images are generated from whole glass slides which can be analyzed and managed using software. Digital Pathology has become a useful and valuable tool in clinical and research pathology. A fully digital workflow would mean that image analysis could be performed on any pathology image without the need for specific image preparation. Image analysis software is already widely available, and has FDA regulatory approval. The digital decade will likely redefine how pathology is practiced and the role of the pathologist.