The contribution of quantitative techniques including morphometry to renal diagnosis.

The use of quantitative techniques in diagnostic renal pathology has not been utilized fully because of the relative inaccessibility and complexity of using statistically valid stereologic techniques. The introduction of digital image capture and computer-assisted image analysis has opened a new door to the analysis of renal biopsies. The potential of quantitative information to give greater prognostic information or better insight into the pathogenesis of many of these lesions is yet to be completely elucidated. Digital imaging and the advent of virtual microscopy should open new avenues of investigation into the pathogenesis of renal disease using clinically obtained renal biopsy material.