Cytology of ganglioglioma of the brain: a morphometric study.

This study describes and illustrates the application of the morphometric method in the classification of different types of cells in mixed populations. The nuclei of neoplastic cell and astrocytes, nonneoplastic monocytoid cells and lymphocytes in touch preparations of two gangliogliomas were measured. Two preoperative cerebrospinal fluid specimens from one of these cases were similarly evaluated. The mean nuclear area of some cell populations was statistically distinct and consistent in each preparation. Other cell populations showed considerable overlap in nuclear size and could not be separated on the basis of this parameter alone.