Abstract
This study realized by two different study groups use of Fractal geometry to quantify the complex collagen deposition during chronic liver disease. Thirty standard needle liver biopsy specimens were obtained from patients with chronic HCV-related disease. Three μ-thick sections were cut and stained by means of Picrosirius stain, in order to visualise collagen matrix. The degree of fibrosis was measured using a quantitative scoring system based on the computer-assisted evaluation of the fractal dimension of the deposited collagen surface. The obtained results by both study groups, show that the proposed method is reproducible, rapid and inexpensive. The complex distribution of its collagenous components can be quantified using a single numerical score. This study demonstrated that it is possible to quantify the collagens irregularity in an objective manner and that the study of the fractal properties of the collagen shapes is likely to reveal more about its structure and the complex behaviour of its development.
Translated title of the contribution | Fractal analysis of liver fibrosis |
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Original language | Italian |
Pages (from-to) | 98-102 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Pathologica |
Volume | 95 |
Issue number | 2 |
Publication status | Published - Apr 2003 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pathology and Forensic Medicine