Nuclear Image Analysis Study of Neuroendocrine Tumors

Abstract

BackgroundThere is a subjective disagreement about nuclear chromatin in the field of pathology. Objective values of red, green, and blue (RGB) light intensities for nuclear chromatin can be obtained through a quantitative analysis using digital images.MethodsWe examined 10 cases of well differentiated neuroendocrine tumors of the rectum, small cell lung carcinomas, and moderately differentiated squamous cell lung carcinomas respectively. For each case, we selected 30 representative cells and captured typical microscopic findings. Using an image analyzer, we determined the longest nuclear line profiles and obtained graph files and Excel data on RGB light intensities. We assessed the meaningful differences in graph files and Excel data among the three different tumors.ResultsThe nucleus of hematoxylin and eosin-stained tumor cells was expressed as a combination of RGB light sources. The highest intensity was from blue, whereas the lowest intensity was from green. According to the graph files, green showed the most noticeable change in the light intensity, which is consistent with the difference in standard deviations.ConclusionsThe change in the light intensity for green has an important implication for differentiating between tumors. Specific features of the nucleus can be expressed in specific values of RGB light intensities.

Difference of the Nuclear Green Light Intensity between Papillary Carcinoma Cells Showing Clear Nuclei and Non-neoplastic Follicular Epithelia in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

“…When we considered these issues, we realized the necessity of measurable data regarding the degree and level of nuclear clearing. In addition to quantitative studies regarding nuclear morphometry characteristics such as variation in nuclear size, irregularity in nuclear contours, and chromatin texture [ 3 - 7 ] red, green, and blue color charts have also been used to calibrate digital graphic devices [ 8 , 9 ]. A recent study described red, green, and blue light intensities for nuclear chromatin pattern of neuroendocrine cells and stressed the importance of GLI [ 7 ].…”

“…Currently, with the use of digital instruments, we are able to quantify many ambiguous pathologic features and express our findings with numeric data [ 2 - 6 ]. Based on a previous study that described the meaningful data of nuclear green light intensity (GLI) in neuroendocrine tumors [ 7 ], we hypothesized that the nuclear clearing of papillary thyroid carcinoma could be also expressed using GLI because both tumors share similar nuclear features with relatively homogeneous nuclei without irregular chromatin clumping. We measured the GLI of cancer cells showing clear nuclei and surrounding non-neoplastic follicular epithelial nuclei in papillary thyroid carcinoma patients and evaluated the significance of GLI as a discriminator between the two groups.…”

Visual analogies in anatomic and clinical pathology

“…Salt and pepper chromatin. The nuclei in neuroendocrine tumors often show a salt and pepper appearance of the coarse, dark chromatin strands which look like pepper in a clear white background which looks like salt [24]. PeerJ Preprints | https://doi.org/10.7287/peerj.preprints.2147v2 | CC BY 4.0 Open Access | rec: 24 Jun 2016, publ: 24 Jun 2016…”