Table 3.
Proposed experimental and analytical specifications for spectroscopic imaging studies in histopathology
| Category | Essential specifications |
|---|---|
| Patient and clinical data | Characteristics of patients selected (disease, control) Source of material Demographics of patients (e.g., age, sex, ethnicity) |
| Sample processing | Sample history from acquisition to measurement Processing steps used Preservation and storage conditions Pathology reference slides (e.g., H&E or IHC stains) Quality assessment processes (e.g., pathologist review) |
| Study parameters | Goal of the study Inclusion/exclusion criteria Control samples Case selection (e.g., prospective or retrospective, stratification or matching) Target statistics (e.g., power) |
| Specimen preparation | Substrate used Protocol to cut and deposit Chemical treatments (e.g., hexane wash for 24 h) |
| Measurement conditions | Description of optical setup Detailed measurement protocol Quality reference and data (e.g., standard spectrum, 1951 USAF resolution test-equivalent sample) Reproducibility checks for instrument |
| Data processing | Description of all preprocessing steps (e.g., baseline correction, normalization derivatives, smoothing) Spectral and other variables considered and selected (with selection algorithm) SNR calculation method and SNR evaluation of data |
| Machine learning | Model selection and alternatives considered or rejected during study Algorithm Full code and parameters Sample sets for training, testing, and validating steps Missing information/unbalanced data handling |
| Claims | Relation to ground truth Statistical measures of results including sample size Quantitative measures (e.g., ROC curves, Kaplan-Meier plots, hazard ratios) with confidence intervals Precise description of end points Model verification |
| Study assessment | Relationship between spectral data and diagnostic test performance Sensitivity analysis Limitations of the study Comparison with clinical/research standard |
Abbreviations: H&E, hematoxylin and eosin; IHC, immunohistochemical; ROC, receiver operating characteristic; SNR, signal-to-noise ratio; USAF, United States Air Force.