title: Multifractal spectrum differentiation of well-differentiated adenocarcinoma from complex atypical hyperplasia of the uterus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To introduce a new field of multifractal spectrum in distinguishing between endometrial well-differentiated adenocarcinoma (WDAC) and complex atypical hyperplasia (CAH).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen cases of CAH and 16 of WDAC were selected from radical hysterectomy specimens, and multifractal spectrum was measured from at least 4-5 representative digitized images of each case. The data were collected from f(alpha) vs. alpha curves. The values of alpha max, alpha min, and their difference delta alpha (alpha max-alpha min) were recorded and the data compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean +/- SD of alpha max, alpha min, and delta alpha of CAH were 2.36357 +/- 0.111623, 1.71357 +/- 0.032160, and 0.64214 +/- 0.094248, respectively. The mean +/- SD of alpha max, alpha min, and delta of WDAC were 2.50640 +/- 0.104545, 1.72100 +/- 0.036436, and 0.77620 +/- 0.108268, respectively. The mean of alpha max, alpha min, and delta alpha of WDAC were higher than in CAH. Mann-Whitney U test showed significant difference (p < 0.0001) of alpha max and delta alpja of WDAC and CAH.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Multifractal dimension is significantly different in WDAC and CAH. The multifractal dimension is a new area in pathology. This study demonstrates the potential usefulness of multifractal analysis in histopathology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cytopathology and Gynecological Pathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Adarsh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barwad
authors.forename: Pranab
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dey
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D017709:Fractals; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000473:pathology*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008954:Models, Biological; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*