Warwick University researchers, using “wavelet” computer image analysis technology, developed a method to identify the exact subtype of meningioma, a common brain and nervous system cancer that exhibits different mutations.
From Warwick University:
A wavelet filter is a computing tool that could be thought of as acting like a virtual microscope to analyse signals at various frequencies and positions in space. Each different kind of wavelet can be used to analyse a different aspect of a signal.
The Warwick researchers have used their wavelet analysis to examine slides of tumour structure and texture from patient case history that have already been diagnosed and treated.
Within seconds the analysis can examine hundreds of slides with hundreds of thousands of pixels of data and is able to give a full diagnosis of precise tumour type with 80% accuracy. The wavelet method is also able to analyse all of the millions of pixels employed in a current slide. The wavelet technology can also be employed, if sufficient computing power is available, to quickly analyse the massive-sized data that are becoming available on the latest high resolution slides.
Researchers believe that the technology should be used to support a tumour specialist’s (histopathologist’s) own expert abilities. They will be able to use this new computing power to sharply focus their own diagnostic expertise on the most crucial pieces of data, preserve a consistent form of analysis using the latest and best expert thought, and help guide tumour experts down the most efficient avenues of investigation.
Press release: Wavelets Crunch through Doctors’ Day long Struggle to Diagnose Brain Tumours …
Image credit: Wellcome images: Meningioma…