title: [Quantitative analysis of corneal subbasal nerve plexus with in vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An analysis of the corneal subbasal nerve plexus (SNP) allows an evaluation of the peripheral neuropathy in cases of degenerative diseases. In order to study the SNP structures quantitatively the automatically calculated morphological and topological parameters are required.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy (Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II/Rostock Cornea Module) was performed in healthy volunteers as well as patients with severe diabetic neuropathy. An adapted image processing algorithm was used to preprocess, segment and evaluate quantitatively the nerve fibers of the SNP. Data sets were analysed statistically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The developed algorithm allows an automated detection of SNP structures. Furthermore, it allows the collection of data based on morphological and topological parameters. The main parameters that show significant differences between healthy cornea and cases of diabetic neuropathy are nerve fibre density and length, number of branching, tortuosity and number of terminal and crossing points. All parameters of the measurements can be used isolated, combined or weighted for quantification of the SNP networks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presented fully automated preprocessing eliminates a large number of motion-induced artefacts. The quality of the resulting pictures allows an automated quantification using characteristic measurements. This represents an in vivo, non-invasive technology analysing degenerative changes of SNP especially in the course of diabetes mellitus.
authors: Augenklinik, Universität Rostock. andyzhyvov@yahoo.com
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Zhivov
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Winter
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Peschel
authors: R F
authors: RF
authors: Guthoff
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Stachs
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Harder
authors: H-C
authors: HC
authors: Schober
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Koehler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003315:Cornea / Q000166:cytology* / Q000294:innervation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods*; D009882:Ophthalmic Nerve / Q000166:cytology*; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity