Morphological and quantitative analyses of intraductal dysplasia of the prostate.

The aim of our study was to characterize quantitatively the cellular and architectural features of intraductal dysplasia (ID) (subdivided into two grades), in comparison with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and adenocarcinoma (AC). The research was carried out on histological sections where the mean nuclear and cellular area, the mean nuclear cytoplasmic (N/C) ratio and parameters related to nuclear crowding and stratification were evaluated. The mean nuclear area and the mean N/C ratio steadily increased from BPH to ID and to AC.

The number of nucleoli in benign and malignant thyroid lesions: a useful diagnostic sign in cytological preparations.

The slides of fine needle aspiration cytology specimens from 99 cases of cold thyroid nodules with known histology were reviewed and the number of nucleoli per nucleus counted and correlated with the different histopathological groups. Significant differences were observed between benign and malignant thyroid lesions in the number of nucleoli in the cytological material. Lower values were present in nodular goitres and follicular adenomas compared to carcinomas.

Sources and nature of variation in DNA analysis of follicular thyroid adenoma.

We investigated the sources and nature of variation that may occur in the DNA analysis of thyroid adenomas from cytological and histological samples. Imprints and smears gave identical results. However, the nuclear area was higher in smears where the optical density of the nuclei was lower.

Quantitative evaluation of recurrent meningiomas.

Clinical, histological and karyometric parameters, nuclear DNA content and the number of nucleolar organizer regions were investigated in 9 recurrent meningiomas and 10 meningiomas which had not recurred within a 10-year period. There were no significant differences between the two groups as to age, sex, site of the tumours and most of the histological parameters scored. Recurrent tumours showed a higher number of mitotic figures and the nucleolus was visible in most of the cells.

Malignant glial tumours: prognostic value of quantitative microscopy.

Nuclear and cell density features have been measured in 22 cases of glioblastoma divided into two groups according to their survival periods, i.e. less than 12 months or more than 12.

Reproducibility of DNA measurements in imprints of thyroid adenoma. Variation sources.

DNA measurement represents a type of quantitative analysis which allows us to gain prognostic information on malignant tumors and to study the natural history of the epithelial neoplasia. However, there are sources of variation in evaluating the DNA content. These include variation due to field selection, variation between observers (interobserver variation), and variation between laboratories (interlaboratory variation).

Discrimination between follicular adenoma and follicular carcinoma of the thyroid: preoperative validity of cytometry on aspiration smears.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the validity of the quantitative analysis of nuclear features on aspiration smears in the distinction between follicular adenoma and follicular carcinoma. Karyometric and DNA features, including the nucleolar count, were evaluated on the cytologic material of 28 cases; the values were in general slightly higher in the carcinomas than in the adenomas, with overlap between the two diagnostic groups. By plotting the two most discriminant and least correlated parameters against each other and by drawing two straight lines (one perpendicular to the axis representing the mean of the major nuclear diameter at the 9-microns point, the other perpendicular to the axis of the percentage of nucleolated cells at the 75% point), we obtained two regions: a rectangle delimited by the two axes and the two lines containing 86% of adenomas, and the remaining part of the plane containing 79% of carcinomas.

Histomorphometric and morphologic studies of the carotid body and aortic paragangliomas.

Morphometric and morphological parameters have been evaluated in tumours of carotid body paraganglia and of aorticopulmonary and aorticosympathetic paraganglia. Paragangliomas are characterized by a higher cell density and rounder nuclei (roundness factor) than non-neoplastic carotid body paraganglia. The nuclear area has similar mean values in tumours and normal paraganglia; however, the former group shows higher standard deviation values and coefficients of variation, reflecting the fact that paragangliomas have nuclei of variable size; the variation is more pronounced in aorticopulmonary and aortico-sympathetic paragangliomas.

Evidence of central nervous system involvement in chronic demyelinating neuropathies associated with "benign" gammopathies.

Recent papers underline the possible involvement of the central nervous system when an acquired peripheral demyelinating disease occurs and vice-versa. We describe five patients with chronic polyneuropathy and "benign" gammopathy, monoclonal (IgM-K, IgA-k, IgG-k) in three cases and polyclonal (IgG, IgM) in two cases; the monoclonal gammopathies were detected in cases of peripheral nerve disease. Three patients showed tremor and signs of pyramidal system impairment when the peripheral damage had improved or was stable.

Comparison of computerized analysis of nuclear DNA changes in uterine cervix dysplasia and in urothelial non-invasive papillary carcinoma.

The nuclear DNA content was measured in preneoplastic lesions of the uterine cervix and in papillary carcinomas of the bladder. Three groups of features were calculated from the raw data: basic DNA, DNA deviation and DNA distribution. The basic DNA features, concerning both the cervix and the bladder, showed a progressive increase in the mean DNA content, a decrease in the percentage of diploid nuclei and steadily increasing values of polyploid and aneuploid nuclei.

Reproducibility of mitotic counts and identification of mitotic figures in malignant glial tumors.

Quantitative pathology is a rapidly growing field of pathology. This field is developing methods allowing greater objectivity and better reproducibility in diagnostic decisions. The introduction of quantitative pathology as a teaching subject in medical education will help this field to become more widely and more correctly applied.

Prognostic value of computerized DNA analysis in noninvasive papillary carcinomas of the urinary bladder.

DNA parameters and a DNA status index were calculated in cases of noninvasive urothelial papillary carcinomas and apparently normal urothelium. DNA feature analysis included the measurement of basic parameters as well as those related to DNA deviation. Normal urothelium had a diploid content with a few values between 2c and 4c.

The value of morphometry in prediction of survival in oligodendrogliomas.

Nineteen out of 31 cases of well-differentiated oligodendrogliomas were selected on the basis of clinical and morphological parameters. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the length of the survival period. In each case 8 clinical, 4 morphological and 3 morphometrical parameters were scored.

Interactive image analysis in the rectal mucosa of rheumatoid arthritis.

Interactive measurements of 22 quantitative parameters concerning the status and inflammation of the mucosa were taken in the rectal biopsies of patients suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis, or with mild nonspecific morphological abnormalities (M.N.M.

Quantitative evaluation of the progressive nuclear abnormalities in urothelial papillary lesions.

The natural history of noninvasive urothelial papillary carcinomas is characterized by structural and nuclear abnormalities of the epithelial lining in the three grades. Morphometry is applied to measure nuclear-related quantitative parameters from the lower (L) and upper (U) halves of urothelial thickness, i.e.

Multivariate classifications of transitional cell tumors of the bladder: nuclear abnormality index and pattern recognition analysis.

The authors report their experiences in applying two types of computer-aided multivariate classification systems in transitional cell tumors of the bladder. The systems are based on nuclear changes in urothelial papillary lesions. 19 out of 54 parameters, selected on the basis of the overlapping area between contiguous grades and the monotonic function, were combined mathematically to obtain the nuclear abnormality index.

Noninvasive papillary transitional-cell tumors. Karyometric and DNA-content analysis.

An investigation was undertaken to quantify and correlate the nuclear and DNA-content modifications in the different grades of noninvasive urothelial papillary carcinoma. Nuclear area and a roundness factor were studied by histomorphometry in 35 cases, and the DNA content was analyzed in 27 cases. The values of the nuclear area and the roundness factor increased from normal-looking urothelium to grade 3 tumors.

Subarachnoid haemorrhage due to widely metastatising malignant ependymoma.

A case of a widely metastasing malignant ependymoma in a 35-year-old man is reported. The first and most impressive clinical feature was a massive subarachnoid bleed with rapidly developing spinal cord compression due to widespread metastases over the cord and the cauda equina. The cerebral ependymoma was finally shown on a CT scan.

Histomorphometry and pattern recognition analysis of urothelial papillary lesions.

The authors report the results of the grading of urothelial papillary carcinoma using histomorphometry and pattern recognition analysis. Features concerning nuclear area, the nuclear roundness factor and inclination angle were measured in 38 cases of urothelial papillary carcinomas. The relative frequency distribution showed overlapping among the grades with a reduction in the practical significance of histomorphometry.

Mass lesions of the frontal lobes in acute head injuries. A comparison with temporal lesions.

Contusions and lacerations of the frontal lobes are very frequent; 43.4% in the whole series of traumatic brain mass lesions. Clinical ICP, CT scan data and neuropathological findings in patients with such lesions are analysed and correlated.

Traumatic cerebral mass lesions: correlations between clinical, intracranial pressure, and computed tomographic data.

After surveying the different phases of their previous experience with the diagnosis and management of traumatic cerebral mass lesions, the authors analyze the correlation between clinical, computed tomographic (CT), and intracranial pressure (ICP) data in 29 patients with traumatic intracerebral hematomas and/or brain lacerations. Clinically, the patients are classified in three groups: (a) deeply comatose patients (Glascow coma scale (GCS), 4 to 5); (b) patients with intermediate disturbances of consciousness (GCS, 6 to 10); and (c) patients with minor impairment of consciousness (GCS, more than 10). Sixteen patients were operated upon.

Intrinsic third ventricle craniopharyngiomas with normal pressure hydrocephalus.

Two observations of intrinsic third ventricle craniopharyngiomas, both involving males in the fifth decade, are reported. Histologically, the tumours, one entirely solid and the other one chiefly cystic, were composed of squamous epithelium with microcysts and no calcifications. In the literature primary third ventricle craniopharyngiomas are considered to be exceedingly rare.

Intracranial hypertension in severe head injuries.

Long-term ICP monitoring was carried out in a series of 124 patients with severe head injuries admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. Forty-nine percent of patients were admitted within six hours of injury. Most of them were referred by Community Hospitals.