Morphometry In Diagnosis Research Articles

Role of nuclear morphometry in diagnosis of salivary gland neoplasms.

Fine needle aspiration cytology is an important diagnostic tool in salivary gland cytopathology. However, cytology of salivary gland neoplasms shows diversity with morphological overlap, heterogeneity and subjective variability, posing diagnostic challenge. Nuclear cytomorphometric image analysis turns the subjective criteria into quantitative parameters, which may aid not only in differentiating between benign and malignant tumours but also can aid in categorising challenging cases with morphological overlap. A retrospective analysis of Papanicolaou stained fine needle aspirate smears from 50 patients with salivary gland neoplasms, with available follow-up histopathology, was performed. The aspirates were categorised in to three neoplastic categories of Milan system for reporting salivary gland cytology (MSRSGC) that is benign neoplasm, salivary gland neoplasm with uncertain malignant potential, and malignant. The smears were subjected to cytomorphometric image analysis using Image Pro Software (version 10). Each nucleus was analysed for 13 parameters including aspect ratio, intensity, diameter, perimeter, roundness, area, Feret diameter, circularity, radii, Fournier description and chromatin texture characteristics such as margination, heterogeneity and clumpiness. The data obtained was compared through relevant statistical methods. The comparative morphometric data obtained for parameters using ANOVA, for the three categories showed statistically significant P values (<0.001). The post hoc test (Games-Howel) test also showed significant P values (<.001). Cytomorphometric image analysis is an important tool in diagnosis of salivary gland neoplasms and can improve the diagnostic accuracy for better treatment and improved prognosis. However, more studies with larger sample size may be needed in future for further affirming its role.

Computerized nuclear morphometry in the diagnosis of thyroid lesions with predominant follicular pattern

Background:Differential diagnosis of thyroid lesions with predominantly follicular pattern is one of the most common problems in thyroid pathology. Development of more objective and reproducible tools for diagnosis is needed. This work is aimed at studying the role of nuclear morphometry in differential diagnosis of different thyroid lesions having predominant follicular pattern.Material and methods:Semiautomatic image analysis system was used to measure a total of 8 nuclear parameters in 48 thyroid lesions including seven nodular goiter (NG), 14 follicular adenoma (FA), 14 follicular carcinoma (FC) and 13 follicular variant papillary carcinoma (FVPC).Results:The parameters related to nuclear size (area, perimeter, MaxD, MinD, nuclear size) and shape (L/S ratio, Form_AR) were significantly higher in neoplastic group (FA, FC, FVPC) when compared to non-neoplastic group (NG) P<0.05. The perimeter was the most reliable parameter (area under the cure (AUC)=97%) followed by area, MaxD, and size (all have AUC= 96%) then form-AR (90%), LS ratio (86%) and the least reliable was Min D (79%). Within the neoplastic group, most parameters related to size and shape of the nuclei was significantly higher in FVPC than in FA and FC (p ≤ 0.05). Nuclear area and size (AUC 77%) were the most reliable parameters for differentiation between FVPC and FA. The best cut off values for diagnosing FVPC are nuclear area ≥39.9μm2 and nuclear size ≥27.7μm2. However, there was no quantitative difference between FC and FA.Conclusion:Nuclear morphometric parameters may help in the differentiation between neoplastic and non-neoplastic thyroid lesions and between FVPC and follicular neoplasms (FC and FA) but they have no value in the differentiation between FC and FA.

Vertebral morphometry in diagnosis of spinal fractures

Vertebral morphometry was performed on lateral thoracic and lumbar radiographs of 153 women with a preliminary diagnosis of spinal osteoporosis. Measurements included anterior and posterior vertebral height, width, area, wedge angle, percent reduction of anterior to posterior height (PRH) and percent difference in anterior height between adjoining vertebrae (PDAH). A vertebral fracture was identified if any of the measurements which control for interindividual variation in vertebral size (wedge angle, PRH, PDAH) were below the normal range. Among individuals with mild osteoporosis (0–2 fractures) PDAH identified 86% of the fractures and 95% of the individuals with fractures. Other measurements identified less than 71% of the fractures and less than 80% of the individuals with fractures. Although the results reflect a relative rather than a true sensilivity it appears that PDAH is the better diagnostic measurement for fractures in the earlier stages of spinal osteoporosis.