title: Fractal pattern of canine trichoblastoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess by fractal analysis the specific architecture, growth pattern, and tissue distribution that characterize subtypes of canine trichoblastoma, a benign tumor derived from or reduplicating the primitive hair germ of embryonic follicular development.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tumor masks and outlines obtained from immunohistologic images by gray threshold segmentation of epithelial components were analyzed by fractal and conventional morphometry. The fractal dimension [FD] of each investigated case was determined from the slope of the regression line describing the fractal region within a bi-asymptotic curve experimentally established.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All tumor masks and outlines obtained by gray threshold segmentation of epithelial components showed fractal self-similar properties that were evaluated by peculiar FDs. However, only masks revealed significantly different FD values, ranging from 1.75 to 1.85, enabling the discrimination of canine trichoblastoma subtypes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The FD data suggest that an iterative morphogenetic process, involving both the air germ and associated dermal papilla, may be responsible of the peculiar tissue architecture of trichoblastoma. The present study emphasized the reliability of fractal analysis in achieving the objective characterization of canine trichoblastoma.
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Natural Sciences, Naples University Federico II, Naples. gionata.devico@unina.it
authors: Gionata
authors: G
authors: De Vico
authors: Marielda
authors: M
authors: Cataldi
authors: Paola
authors: P
authors: Maiolino
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Carella
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Beltraminelli
authors: Gabriele A
authors: GA
authors: Losa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D017709:Fractals; D006201:Hair Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*