Computer-assisted morphometric image analysis of cells of normal oral epithelium and oral squamous cell carcinoma

CONTEXT: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a malignant neoplasm of epithelial tissue origin. OSCC is traditionally graded into well, moderate and poorly differentiated. The assessment of cellular and nuclear features is very important in the histological grading of OSCC. AIMS: To establish morphometric study as an important prognostic indicator of OSCC. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The present study is undertaken for computer-assisted morphometric evaluation of the following parameters: changes in cell perimeter, nuclear perimeter (NP), cell area (CA), nuclear area (NA) and nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio (N:C) in twenty cases of OSCC and ten cases of normal oral mucosa. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The hematoxylin- and eosin-stained sections were observed under microscope for dysplastic features. For morphometric analysis, images were captured with a 2MP camera attached to a NLCD 307 microscope (Lawrence and Mayo India Pvt., Ltd.,) with a ×40 objective used for morphometric analysis. The images were classified, transferred and stored in the computer for image analysis. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: One-way analysis of variance is used for comparing the parameter for multiple groups followed by Mann-Whitney U-test for pair-wise comparisons. RESULTS: Highly significant difference was seen between cases and controls with respect to CA, NP and NA. Highly significant difference is seen in N:C ratio between the means of cases and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Techniques of image analysis offer an opportunity to quantify the nuclear and cell changes associated with malignancy and provide an objective basis for grading dysplasia and tumors.