title: Quantitative image analysis of nuclear chromatin distribution for cytological diagnosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We previously reported on the classification of the nuclear chromatin distribution into 3 types, that is peripheral (P), mixed (M) and central (C), which were related to the malignancy of cervical glandular lesions. However, the classification was subjective as it was performed by visual assessment. In the present study, quantitative assessment of nuclear chromatin distribution using image analysis by computer was applied for objective classification of cervical squamous epithelial lesions, which are the most common cervical lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 130 cells (44 cells of type P, 78 of type M and 8 of type C) from cytological specimens of cervical squamous epithelial lesions (dysplasia, squamous cell carcinoma) were analyzed. An image analysis program was developed as a plug-in macro program of an existing image processing software. The radial distribution (RD) value, which represents the gradient of the staining intensity from the center to the edge of a nucleus, was defined as an index of the chromatin distribution.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The RD values calculated in type P, type M and type C cells showed significant statistical differences as assessed by the t test (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Quantification of the nuclear chromatin distribution by image analysis is fast and highly objective. The RD value could be useful as an index for malignancy.
authors: Department of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors: Ryotaro
authors: R
authors: Jingu
authors: Masafumi
authors: M
authors: Ohki
authors: Sumiko
authors: S
authors: Watanabe
authors: Sadafumi
authors: S
authors: Tamiya
authors: Setsuo
authors: S
authors: Sugishima
authors: Tsunehisa
authors: T
authors: Kaku
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000473:pathology*; D002843:Chromatin / Q000378:metabolism*; D003581:Cytodiagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin