Image Analysis in Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Abstract

Morphometry allows an objective method of assessing various cell features that are relevant in the subtyping of non Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). A wide variety of morphometric parameters that quantify features such as nuclear size and shape can be obtained with fully automated or interactive computerized image analysis. Most of these parameters rely on simple measures of area and perimeter, whereas others, especially those describing shape, use complicated mathematical formulas. Certain parameters have been found to be useful in specific situations; for example, the identification of cells of mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome is aided by the nuclear contor index. The application of morphometry in the subtyping of NHL is reviewed. Examples of cytologic preparations are given to illustrate theuse of nuclear size parameters to distinguish small, mixed, and large cell subtypes of follicular NHL. Large cell lymphoma and irnrnunoblastic sarcoma are categorized by nuclear area and shape, nucleolar area, and the standard deviation of nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio. Morphometric analysis is a useful method to subtype difficult cases of malignant lymphoma, particularly in identifying the controversial category of mixed cell lymphoma. (The J Histotechnol 15:263-276, 1992)