QUANTITATIVE-EVALUATION OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF CELL-DENSITY - APPLICATION TO HUMAN PITUITARY CORTICOTROPH CELLS

OBJECTIVE: An image analysis program was developed to analyze cell den sity in a whole organ. The method wits applied to the evaluation of ad renocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)-storing cells in normal human anteri or pituitary in order to help the pathologist to evaluate hyperplasia on small surgical biopsies. STUDY DESIGN: ACTH cells were labeled usin g the immunoperoxidase technique. Data were systematically acquired on a composite image that made possible two-dimensional cell pattern rep resentation in sequential sections of the organ and measurements of ce ll density in selected histologic parts. RESULTS: ACTH-storing cells w ere located more in the anterior than posterior part and move in the l ower than in the upper pituitary part. The probability of observing hi gh-density values even in normal cases tons precisely evaluated zone b y zone. Moreover, a model tons 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 inte stinal tract when hyperplasia is considered the cause of certain clini cal syndromes.