title: Predictive value of computerized morphometric analysis of steatosis in donor livers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe, by computerized morphometry, the degree and the type of steatosis in liver transplants that developed primary nonfunction and to compare the results with the quantification by pathologist.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve patients who developed primary nonfunction after liver transplantation were matched with 23 transplanted patients with a regular postoperative clinical course. Morphology of the liver biopsy included many stereological parameters; all cases were evaluated by an operator blinded to the diagnosis and to the clinical history. The assessment of steatosis by morphometry was compared with the pathologist's evaluation. Moreover, to assess the reproducibility of the morphometric model, another operator applied the morphometric model in a blinded fashion to a randomly selected sample of cases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The percentage of hepatocytes with microsteatosis and the ratio of macro/microsteatosis were higher in primary nonfunction. The pathologist's evaluation of steatosis showed a marked overestimation when compared to morphometry. Lastly, the comparison between the results of 2 blinded operators of morphometric analysis showed a high reproducibility with a low interobserver variability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our quantitative estimation of the degree and the quality of steatosis avoids interobserver interpretations. Moreover, our analysis shows that the quantification of steatosis in liver transplantation by the current assessment must be reviewed in order to reevaluate the real impact of steatosis.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vertemati
authors.forename: Duccio
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Petrella
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gambacorta
authors.forename: Edgardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bonacina
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vizzotto
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D014019:Tissue Donors