Histological coherent Raman imaging: a prognostic review

TL;DR

This review explores how coherent Raman imaging can modernize histopathology by providing label-free, quantitative, and high-resolution molecular imaging to improve disease diagnosis.

Contribution

It surveys the application of CRI in histopathology and discusses its potential to transform traditional diagnostic methods.

Findings

CRI offers label-free, molecular-specific contrast in tissue imaging

CRI has potential to make histopathology more objective and quantitative

The review highlights ongoing efforts to integrate CRI into clinical practice

Abstract

Histopathology plays a central role in diagnosis of many diseases including solid cancers. Efforts are underway to transform this subjective art form to an objective and quantitative science. Coherent Raman imaging (CRI), a label-free imaging modality with sub-cellular spatial resolution and molecule-specific contrast possesses characteristics which could support the qualitative-to-quantitative transition of histopathology. In this work we briefly survey major themes related to modernization of histopathology, review applications of CRI to histopathology and, finally, discuss potential roles for CRI in the transformation of histopathology that is already underway.