OBJECTIVE: An image analysis program was developed to analyze cell density in a whole organ. The method was applied to the evaluation of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH-storing cells in normal human anterior pituitary in order to help the pathologist to evaluate hyperplasia on small surgical biopsies. STUDY DESIGN: ACTH cells were labeled using the immunoperoxidase technique. Data were systematically acquired on a composite image that made possible two-dimensional cell pattern representation in sequential sections of the organ and measurements of cell density in selected histologic parts. RESULTS: ACTH-storing cells were located more in the anterior than posterior part and more in the lower than in the upper pituitary part. The probability of observing high-density value even in normal cases was precisely evaluated zone by zone. Moreover, a model was proposed to evaluate mean cell density from small surgical pieces. CONCLUSION: The same methodology could be applied to other endocrine cell types in the thyroid, pancreas or intestinal tract when hyperplasia is considered the cause of certain clinical syndromes.
OBJECTIVE: An image analysis program was developed to analyze cell density in a whole organ. The method was applied to the evaluation of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH-storing cells in normal human anterior pituitary in order to help the pathologist to evaluate hyperplasia on small surgical biopsies. STUDY DESIGN: ACTH cells were labeled using the immunoperoxidase technique. Data were systematically acquired on a composite image that made possible two-dimensional cell pattern representation in sequential sections of the organ and measurements of cell density in selected histologic parts. RESULTS: ACTH-storing cells were located more in the anterior than posterior part and more in the lower than in the upper pituitary part. The probability of observing high-density value even in normal cases was precisely evaluated zone by zone. Moreover, a model was proposed to evaluate mean cell density from small surgical pieces. CONCLUSION: The same methodology could be applied to other endocrine cell types in the thyroid, pancreas or intestinal tract when hyperplasia is considered the cause of certain clinical syndromes.