P. Hufnagl - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by P. Hufnagl
Zentralblatt fur allgemeine Pathologie u. pathologische Anatomie, 1984
A series of 50 human pituitary adenomas with acromegaly has been investigated morphologically and... more A series of 50 human pituitary adenomas with acromegaly has been investigated morphologically and densitometrically by use of a system for automated microscope picture analysis (AMBA). Twenty nuclear and tissue features have been measured. The tumors were divided into eosinophilic, eosinophilic/chromophobe and chromophobe adenomas. We found no correlation between the analysed karyometric features and the blood hormone levels. But considering the results of the hematoxylin-eosin-staining, significant differences exist between the three histological subtypes. Eosinophilic adenomas show higher blood hormone levels than mixed and chromophobe tumors. Significant differences between the subtypes in some nuclear and tissue features allow a classification. Eosinophilic adenomas have bigger nuclei with higher extinction (that means higher DNA-content). The parameter EXTK (expected extinction at the borderline of the nuclei) was of great importance for the separation of mixed and chromophobe ...
Introduction/ Background Pathology is the science of diseases that ranges from macroscopic to his... more Introduction/ Background Pathology is the science of diseases that ranges from macroscopic to histologic, and of course molecular changes. To offer a holistic education we wanted to involve portable electronic devices to combine information on diseases with microscopic changes and formalin fixed organs (macroscopic preparation). Aims At the time of compilation of this application there was no alternative, useful solution that offers the possibility of extensions towards virtual microscopy. Moreover, other solutions always use fixed databases or do not provide tools for content updates. Hence, it was required to create an appropriate system. Additional aimed feature are high performance, data-caching and the opinion to use the app in offline mode without a network connection. By the reason of the large amount of smartphone and tablet computer that runs the Android operating system and cheaper devices this platform was used. Methods We combined our virtual microscope „AndroScope“ [1] ...
Der Pathologe, 2018
Die digitale Diagnostik in der Routine ist für Deutschland noch weitgehend „Neuland“ und wirft za... more Die digitale Diagnostik in der Routine ist für Deutschland noch weitgehend „Neuland“ und wirft zahlreiche technische und rechtliche Fragen auf, für die im Leitfaden [7] Antworten aufgezeigt werden. Grundsätzlich besteht für Ärzte in Deutschland Methodenfreiheit in Diagnostik und Therapie. Diese gilt auch für die Diagnostik an digitalen Bildern reeller histologischer oder zytologischer Präparate, die für unser Fach sowohl der Goldstandardalsauchdaszuarchivierende Original bleiben. In diesem Sinne ist das virtuelle Mikroskop zur Diagnostik an digitalen Bildern einArbeitswerkzeug wie das konventionelle Lichtmikroskop. Obwohldie grundsätzlicheVergleichbarkeit beider Methoden wiederholt nachgewiesen wurde [1], darf ein Pathologe dieses Instrumentarium nur dann diagnostisch einsetzen, sofern er nachweisen kann, dass seine diagnostischen Fähigkeitenmit derartigenVerfahrendenenan Originalpräparaten unter dem Lichtmikroskop ebenbürtig sind. Dafür ist das Instrumentarium der Validierung sehr gut geeignet.
Zentralblatt fur Neurochirurgie, 1996
To evaluate the malignant potential of a tumor, data about its proliferative rate are essential. ... more To evaluate the malignant potential of a tumor, data about its proliferative rate are essential. In this study clinical data, histological grading and immunohistochemical marker PCNA were applied on astrocytomas in childhood and were correlated to number, size and distribution of AgNORs. Tumor material from 90 patients, aged 1 to 15 years, was available. Histological grading, immunohistochemistry and AgNOR staining were performed on paraffin sections. PCNA-positivity was evaluated semiquantitatively. The AgNORs were quantified on 100 nuclei/case with an image analysis system. With aggravating malignancy we could show a shorter anamnesis, a lower survival and a higher PCNA-reactivity. We found a strong correlation between several AgNOR-features and the grade of malignancy of the astrocytomas, especially for the number of the AgNORs (from grade I: 1.73 AgNORs/nucleus to grade IV: 4.56 AgNORs/nucleus), the size of the AgNORs and its area amount of the nucleus. There were correlations b...
Digital image analysis of histological datasets is a currently expanding field of research. With ... more Digital image analysis of histological datasets is a currently expanding field of research. With different stains, magnifications and types of tissues, histological images are inherently complex in nature and contain a wide variety of visual information. Several image analysis techniques are being explored in this direction. However, graph-based methods have recently gained immense popularity, as these methods can effectively describe tissue architecture and provide adequate numeric information for subsequent computer-based analysis. Graphs have the ability to represent spatial arrangements and neighborhood relationships of different tissue components, which are essential characteristics observed visually by pathologists during investigation of specimens. In this paper, we present a comprehensive review of the graph-based methods explored so far in digital histopathology. We also discuss the current limitations and suggest future directions in graph-based tissue image analysis.
Telemedicine, 2001
In the last decades the number of described malformations and syndromes has increased rapidly and... more In the last decades the number of described malformations and syndromes has increased rapidly and the diagnosis requires extensive experience. A main problem is the rareness of experts worldwide, so getting a second opinion is not easy. Telepathology was found to be an important method for the improvement of histological diagnosis. We will show how telepathological techniques can be used for diagnostics in fetal pathology. We analysed the telepathology system TPS within routine workflow of fetal autopsy. This system was developed in a cooperative effort by the Institute of Pathology, Charite Berlin and the Leica Microsystems Wetzlar GmbH. The main view was focused on routine capability, image quality and the communication possibilities of the system. Finally we found that the quality of fetal diagnostic can be improved by using telepathological techniques.
Zentralblatt für allgemeine Pathologie u. pathologische Anatomie, 1986
We used the automated microscopic image analysis (system "Robotron A 6471"; software AM... more We used the automated microscopic image analysis (system "Robotron A 6471"; software AMBA/R) to study the ductal epithelium in biopsies from 88 patients with fibrocystic breast disease, including 52 with proliferative mastopathy. Significant differences were demonstrated using reproducible data and selective caryo- and histometric parameters which allowed the separation of ductal hyperplasia and ductal cell proliferation with atypia. In addition, multiparameter analysis indicated that cases with proliferative mastopathy III can be separated into two groups which have probably a different high risk with respect to carcinoma.
Zentralblatt für Pathologie, 1994
AgNOR staining is mostly performed on unstained sections from paraffin-embedded material. This we... more AgNOR staining is mostly performed on unstained sections from paraffin-embedded material. This well-established application may be limited, if only a small biopsy or cytologic material is available. In this study, we analyzed the influence of different routine preparation types from histology and cytology on AgNOR staining results. 15 cases of ductal breast carcinoma were investigated using five different preparations per case: frozen sections, sections from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded, previously frozen material, sections from routinely formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded fresh material, alcohol-fixed and air-dried cytological smears. After application of a modified combined Feulgen-AgNOR staining technique, AgNOR quantification on 150 nuclei per specimen was performed by TV-image analysis. For each preparation type adequate AgNOR staining results were obtained. Although there were a number of statistically significant correlations, the median values for the mean nuclear ...
Zentralblatt für Pathologie, 1994
A method is presented for the measurement of AgNORs in histological section using an image analys... more A method is presented for the measurement of AgNORs in histological section using an image analysis system. Measurements are performed at the highest magnification (objective 100x) using a CCD camera. In the first step the AgNORs are segmented, counted and measured. In the second step the AgNOR clusters are segmented. Several features for the description of the AgNORs, the AgNOR clusters and their spatial distribution throughout the nucleus are given. As an internal reference, lymphocytes are used and the size features are given relative to the mean size of AgNORs in the lymphocytes. The reproducibility of the features was tested on a series of astrocytomas. This should be carried out with at least 150 tumor cells and 20 reference cells in order for accurate measurements.
Archiv für Geschwulstforschung, 1985
50 fine-needle biopsies of mammary tumors (20 medullary carcinomas, 20 fibroadenomas, and 10 fals... more 50 fine-needle biopsies of mammary tumors (20 medullary carcinomas, 20 fibroadenomas, and 10 false negative judged cases) were studied by automated microscopic image analysis. Eight morphometric and densitometric features of the tumor cell nuclei were determined on Papanicolaou stained smears. It was analyzed whether smears false judged as negative can be rightly allocated as carcinomas by the automated method. The results of this study have shown that it was possible by means of three cell nucleus parameters (standard deviation of the area, mean area ratio, and skewness of the grey value gradient at contours) with 100% correct separation of the unequivocal cytologies into malignant and benign smears to recognize about 90% of the false judged smears rightly as carcinomas. The results are reproducible and can be obtained in a time of 2-5 min per smear. The first results show that the automated microscope image analysis may be a valuable tool in the diagnosis of borderline-cases of ma...
Zentralblatt für allgemeine Pathologie u. pathologische Anatomie, 1986
8 astrocytomas grade 1-4 and 2 glioblastomas were investigated by a system of automated microscop... more 8 astrocytomas grade 1-4 and 2 glioblastomas were investigated by a system of automated microscope picture analysis. Histograms of nuclear area and shape from more than 1,000 measured nuclei per tumor were analysed. Both one- and two-dimensional histograms show findings which correlate with the malignant potential of the gliomas. The nuclear area rises with increasing tumor malignancy. On the other hand the measurements of nuclear shape factor are inversely related to the level of malignancy, indicating substantial irregularities in the nuclear structure. The 2D-histograms of both measured parameters also show changes which are correlated with the grade of tumor malignancy and which can be described as shift, loss of compactness and enlargement. The histogram method is discussed as an objectifiable process characterizing important cell and nuclear attributes connected with tumor malignancy. Histograms of both, nuclear area and shape can be helpful in the classification and grading o...
Gegenbaurs morphologisches Jahrbuch, 1989
Electrophysiologic studies of posterior tibial nerves by averaging method and morphometric invest... more Electrophysiologic studies of posterior tibial nerves by averaging method and morphometric investigations of sural nerves by automatic image analysis were performed in 7 non-diabetic rats 42 d after the administration of 55 mg streptozotocin/kg b.w. and in 10 untreated controls. Morphometry of stained semithin sections was carried out with system A 6471-AMBA/R (Robotron, Dresden, G.D.R.). There was no decrease of motor nerve conduction velocity in streptozotocin injected animals. The investigated morphometric parameters showed no significant alterations in the streptozotocin group. The studies show that in streptozotocin diabetic rats electrophysiological and morphological alterations of the peripheral nerve are caused by hyperglycemia but not by direct neurotoxic effects of streptozotocin.
Zentralblatt für allgemeine Pathologie u. pathologische Anatomie, 1986
Immunhistochemical methods utilizing specific antibodies against Factor VIII-related antigen and ... more Immunhistochemical methods utilizing specific antibodies against Factor VIII-related antigen and glial fibrillary acidic protein were employed in studies of 48 intracranial and intraspinal tumors. Factor VIII-related antigen occurred only in endothelial cells of the vascular wall and is therefore not of importance for the differential diagnosis of CNS tumors. Isolated Factor VIII positive cells in the stroma of hemangioblastomas turned out to be mast cells which may also normally contain this substance. The GFAP positive cells in hemangioblastomas are believed to all be of astrocytic lineage. Many of the multinuclear giant cells present in monstrocellular sarcomas contained GFAP but were Factor VIII negative. Genuine fibroxanthoma of the meninges can apparently exist next to pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas. As demonstrated by one of our cases, the demonstration of GFAP alone can successfully distinguish between them.
Analytical Cellular Pathology, 2000
The relation between estrogen receptors (ER) and argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs... more The relation between estrogen receptors (ER) and argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs)in situwithin human breast cancer cells was analyzed. For AgNOR measurements in 49 invasive breast carcinomas, a new reproducible staining method for dual demonstration of ER and AgNORs was applied. Quantitative AgNOR variables were determined in ER‐positive and ER‐negative tumor cells by digital image analysis. The relationships between AgNOR parameters of ER‐positive and ER‐negative cells and other prognostic factors of breast cancer [Bloom–Richardson‐Grading and growth fraction (Ki‐67 index)] were investigated. A higher AgNOR content in ER‐negative cells and a special clustering phenomenon in ER‐positive tumor cells were found. Correlation with other criteria of malignant potential could be exclusively demonstrated for ER‐negative cells. ER‐negative cells of breast cancer can be characterized as the more malignant and possibly prognosis‐dictating cell fraction. Thus, ER‐negative cell...
Zentralblatt für Pathologie, 1991
Nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) are associated with proliferative activity of tumors. An image... more Nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) are associated with proliferative activity of tumors. An image analysis method is presented in this paper by which it is possible to analyze NOR location within the nucleus and relative to each other. Several features which characterized locations were measured in 20 urinary bladder carcinomas, eight astrocytomas, and two glioblastomas. Correlations were found to exist between those features, on the one hand, and tumor malignancy, on the other. They were particularly close in astrocytoma. Mean distance among NORs and closeness to the nuclear membrane were found to increase, as well, along with aggravating malignancy. As to the urinary bladder carcinomas examined, an unambiguous difference was found to exist between G 1 and G 1-2 carcinomas.
Analytical cellular pathology : the journal of the European Society for Analytical Cellular Pathology, 2000
In a study of 10 autopsy cases with congenital cardiac malformations we investigated whether obta... more In a study of 10 autopsy cases with congenital cardiac malformations we investigated whether obtaining a second opinion by means of telepathology could satisfy quality standards for the diagnosis of cardiac malformations and what the advantages and disadvantages of such a procedure might be. The investigatory samples were 10 formalin-fixed hearts with complex malformations from 9 fetuses and one newborn on which autopsies had been performed at the Pathological Institute of the Charité Hospital. The requests for a second opinion, which included text and image data, were sent in the form of Microsoft PowerPoint presentations to 5 experts in 4 countries. Per case the number of images that were sent was between 3 and 7. The size of the files was between 439 and 942 kb. The time required for preparation of the cases for sending them to the specialists was between 1 and 2 hours: this encompassed the time for putting the notation on the images, compressing them, creating a file that includ...
Analytical cellular pathology : the journal of the European Society for Analytical Cellular Pathology, 2000
A new staining method for dual demonstration of Estrogen receptors (ER) and argyrophilc Nucleolus... more A new staining method for dual demonstration of Estrogen receptors (ER) and argyrophilc Nucleolus-Organizer Regions (AgNORs) was developed. To rule out possible reciprocal effects, serial slides of 10 invasive ductale breast cancers were stained with either the single staining method or the simultaneous ER/AgNOR-staining method and investigated comparatively. By measuring the slides with the image analysis system AMBA, reciprocal effects could be excluded. It was proven that dual staining of both markers results in a reproducible and specific staining result. We concluded that it is justified to measure AgNORs in immunohistochemically stained cells.
Der Pathologe, 2000
As a result of the quality of prenatal ultrasound and the expanded experience of prenatal diagnos... more As a result of the quality of prenatal ultrasound and the expanded experience of prenatal diagnosticians, it is possible to observe congenital heart malformations in increasingly greater detail and at an ever earlier stage of gestation [4]. Since it is on the basis of ultrasound findings that decisions to terminate pregnancies are made, it is of cardinal importance that after termination monitoring and confirmation of the prenatal diagnosis be carried out. This need can only be adequately met by autopsy. There are different methods for carrying out autopsies when there is suspicion of a congenital heart defect: a) the Anderson sequential segmental analysis as modified according to the Berlin method; b) use of a special autoptic method corresponding to the ultrasound findings, based on defining a preferred sectional plane; c) stereomicroscopically; or d) microscopically after embedding and preparation of serial microscopic sections. For the pathologist the consequence is that he has ...
Zentralblatt fur allgemeine Pathologie u. pathologische Anatomie, 1984
A series of 50 human pituitary adenomas with acromegaly has been investigated morphologically and... more A series of 50 human pituitary adenomas with acromegaly has been investigated morphologically and densitometrically by use of a system for automated microscope picture analysis (AMBA). Twenty nuclear and tissue features have been measured. The tumors were divided into eosinophilic, eosinophilic/chromophobe and chromophobe adenomas. We found no correlation between the analysed karyometric features and the blood hormone levels. But considering the results of the hematoxylin-eosin-staining, significant differences exist between the three histological subtypes. Eosinophilic adenomas show higher blood hormone levels than mixed and chromophobe tumors. Significant differences between the subtypes in some nuclear and tissue features allow a classification. Eosinophilic adenomas have bigger nuclei with higher extinction (that means higher DNA-content). The parameter EXTK (expected extinction at the borderline of the nuclei) was of great importance for the separation of mixed and chromophobe ...
Introduction/ Background Pathology is the science of diseases that ranges from macroscopic to his... more Introduction/ Background Pathology is the science of diseases that ranges from macroscopic to histologic, and of course molecular changes. To offer a holistic education we wanted to involve portable electronic devices to combine information on diseases with microscopic changes and formalin fixed organs (macroscopic preparation). Aims At the time of compilation of this application there was no alternative, useful solution that offers the possibility of extensions towards virtual microscopy. Moreover, other solutions always use fixed databases or do not provide tools for content updates. Hence, it was required to create an appropriate system. Additional aimed feature are high performance, data-caching and the opinion to use the app in offline mode without a network connection. By the reason of the large amount of smartphone and tablet computer that runs the Android operating system and cheaper devices this platform was used. Methods We combined our virtual microscope „AndroScope“ [1] ...
Der Pathologe, 2018
Die digitale Diagnostik in der Routine ist für Deutschland noch weitgehend „Neuland“ und wirft za... more Die digitale Diagnostik in der Routine ist für Deutschland noch weitgehend „Neuland“ und wirft zahlreiche technische und rechtliche Fragen auf, für die im Leitfaden [7] Antworten aufgezeigt werden. Grundsätzlich besteht für Ärzte in Deutschland Methodenfreiheit in Diagnostik und Therapie. Diese gilt auch für die Diagnostik an digitalen Bildern reeller histologischer oder zytologischer Präparate, die für unser Fach sowohl der Goldstandardalsauchdaszuarchivierende Original bleiben. In diesem Sinne ist das virtuelle Mikroskop zur Diagnostik an digitalen Bildern einArbeitswerkzeug wie das konventionelle Lichtmikroskop. Obwohldie grundsätzlicheVergleichbarkeit beider Methoden wiederholt nachgewiesen wurde [1], darf ein Pathologe dieses Instrumentarium nur dann diagnostisch einsetzen, sofern er nachweisen kann, dass seine diagnostischen Fähigkeitenmit derartigenVerfahrendenenan Originalpräparaten unter dem Lichtmikroskop ebenbürtig sind. Dafür ist das Instrumentarium der Validierung sehr gut geeignet.
Zentralblatt fur Neurochirurgie, 1996
To evaluate the malignant potential of a tumor, data about its proliferative rate are essential. ... more To evaluate the malignant potential of a tumor, data about its proliferative rate are essential. In this study clinical data, histological grading and immunohistochemical marker PCNA were applied on astrocytomas in childhood and were correlated to number, size and distribution of AgNORs. Tumor material from 90 patients, aged 1 to 15 years, was available. Histological grading, immunohistochemistry and AgNOR staining were performed on paraffin sections. PCNA-positivity was evaluated semiquantitatively. The AgNORs were quantified on 100 nuclei/case with an image analysis system. With aggravating malignancy we could show a shorter anamnesis, a lower survival and a higher PCNA-reactivity. We found a strong correlation between several AgNOR-features and the grade of malignancy of the astrocytomas, especially for the number of the AgNORs (from grade I: 1.73 AgNORs/nucleus to grade IV: 4.56 AgNORs/nucleus), the size of the AgNORs and its area amount of the nucleus. There were correlations b...
Digital image analysis of histological datasets is a currently expanding field of research. With ... more Digital image analysis of histological datasets is a currently expanding field of research. With different stains, magnifications and types of tissues, histological images are inherently complex in nature and contain a wide variety of visual information. Several image analysis techniques are being explored in this direction. However, graph-based methods have recently gained immense popularity, as these methods can effectively describe tissue architecture and provide adequate numeric information for subsequent computer-based analysis. Graphs have the ability to represent spatial arrangements and neighborhood relationships of different tissue components, which are essential characteristics observed visually by pathologists during investigation of specimens. In this paper, we present a comprehensive review of the graph-based methods explored so far in digital histopathology. We also discuss the current limitations and suggest future directions in graph-based tissue image analysis.
Telemedicine, 2001
In the last decades the number of described malformations and syndromes has increased rapidly and... more In the last decades the number of described malformations and syndromes has increased rapidly and the diagnosis requires extensive experience. A main problem is the rareness of experts worldwide, so getting a second opinion is not easy. Telepathology was found to be an important method for the improvement of histological diagnosis. We will show how telepathological techniques can be used for diagnostics in fetal pathology. We analysed the telepathology system TPS within routine workflow of fetal autopsy. This system was developed in a cooperative effort by the Institute of Pathology, Charite Berlin and the Leica Microsystems Wetzlar GmbH. The main view was focused on routine capability, image quality and the communication possibilities of the system. Finally we found that the quality of fetal diagnostic can be improved by using telepathological techniques.
Zentralblatt für allgemeine Pathologie u. pathologische Anatomie, 1986
We used the automated microscopic image analysis (system "Robotron A 6471"; software AM... more We used the automated microscopic image analysis (system "Robotron A 6471"; software AMBA/R) to study the ductal epithelium in biopsies from 88 patients with fibrocystic breast disease, including 52 with proliferative mastopathy. Significant differences were demonstrated using reproducible data and selective caryo- and histometric parameters which allowed the separation of ductal hyperplasia and ductal cell proliferation with atypia. In addition, multiparameter analysis indicated that cases with proliferative mastopathy III can be separated into two groups which have probably a different high risk with respect to carcinoma.
Zentralblatt für Pathologie, 1994
AgNOR staining is mostly performed on unstained sections from paraffin-embedded material. This we... more AgNOR staining is mostly performed on unstained sections from paraffin-embedded material. This well-established application may be limited, if only a small biopsy or cytologic material is available. In this study, we analyzed the influence of different routine preparation types from histology and cytology on AgNOR staining results. 15 cases of ductal breast carcinoma were investigated using five different preparations per case: frozen sections, sections from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded, previously frozen material, sections from routinely formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded fresh material, alcohol-fixed and air-dried cytological smears. After application of a modified combined Feulgen-AgNOR staining technique, AgNOR quantification on 150 nuclei per specimen was performed by TV-image analysis. For each preparation type adequate AgNOR staining results were obtained. Although there were a number of statistically significant correlations, the median values for the mean nuclear ...
Zentralblatt für Pathologie, 1994
A method is presented for the measurement of AgNORs in histological section using an image analys... more A method is presented for the measurement of AgNORs in histological section using an image analysis system. Measurements are performed at the highest magnification (objective 100x) using a CCD camera. In the first step the AgNORs are segmented, counted and measured. In the second step the AgNOR clusters are segmented. Several features for the description of the AgNORs, the AgNOR clusters and their spatial distribution throughout the nucleus are given. As an internal reference, lymphocytes are used and the size features are given relative to the mean size of AgNORs in the lymphocytes. The reproducibility of the features was tested on a series of astrocytomas. This should be carried out with at least 150 tumor cells and 20 reference cells in order for accurate measurements.
Archiv für Geschwulstforschung, 1985
50 fine-needle biopsies of mammary tumors (20 medullary carcinomas, 20 fibroadenomas, and 10 fals... more 50 fine-needle biopsies of mammary tumors (20 medullary carcinomas, 20 fibroadenomas, and 10 false negative judged cases) were studied by automated microscopic image analysis. Eight morphometric and densitometric features of the tumor cell nuclei were determined on Papanicolaou stained smears. It was analyzed whether smears false judged as negative can be rightly allocated as carcinomas by the automated method. The results of this study have shown that it was possible by means of three cell nucleus parameters (standard deviation of the area, mean area ratio, and skewness of the grey value gradient at contours) with 100% correct separation of the unequivocal cytologies into malignant and benign smears to recognize about 90% of the false judged smears rightly as carcinomas. The results are reproducible and can be obtained in a time of 2-5 min per smear. The first results show that the automated microscope image analysis may be a valuable tool in the diagnosis of borderline-cases of ma...
Zentralblatt für allgemeine Pathologie u. pathologische Anatomie, 1986
8 astrocytomas grade 1-4 and 2 glioblastomas were investigated by a system of automated microscop... more 8 astrocytomas grade 1-4 and 2 glioblastomas were investigated by a system of automated microscope picture analysis. Histograms of nuclear area and shape from more than 1,000 measured nuclei per tumor were analysed. Both one- and two-dimensional histograms show findings which correlate with the malignant potential of the gliomas. The nuclear area rises with increasing tumor malignancy. On the other hand the measurements of nuclear shape factor are inversely related to the level of malignancy, indicating substantial irregularities in the nuclear structure. The 2D-histograms of both measured parameters also show changes which are correlated with the grade of tumor malignancy and which can be described as shift, loss of compactness and enlargement. The histogram method is discussed as an objectifiable process characterizing important cell and nuclear attributes connected with tumor malignancy. Histograms of both, nuclear area and shape can be helpful in the classification and grading o...
Gegenbaurs morphologisches Jahrbuch, 1989
Electrophysiologic studies of posterior tibial nerves by averaging method and morphometric invest... more Electrophysiologic studies of posterior tibial nerves by averaging method and morphometric investigations of sural nerves by automatic image analysis were performed in 7 non-diabetic rats 42 d after the administration of 55 mg streptozotocin/kg b.w. and in 10 untreated controls. Morphometry of stained semithin sections was carried out with system A 6471-AMBA/R (Robotron, Dresden, G.D.R.). There was no decrease of motor nerve conduction velocity in streptozotocin injected animals. The investigated morphometric parameters showed no significant alterations in the streptozotocin group. The studies show that in streptozotocin diabetic rats electrophysiological and morphological alterations of the peripheral nerve are caused by hyperglycemia but not by direct neurotoxic effects of streptozotocin.
Zentralblatt für allgemeine Pathologie u. pathologische Anatomie, 1986
Immunhistochemical methods utilizing specific antibodies against Factor VIII-related antigen and ... more Immunhistochemical methods utilizing specific antibodies against Factor VIII-related antigen and glial fibrillary acidic protein were employed in studies of 48 intracranial and intraspinal tumors. Factor VIII-related antigen occurred only in endothelial cells of the vascular wall and is therefore not of importance for the differential diagnosis of CNS tumors. Isolated Factor VIII positive cells in the stroma of hemangioblastomas turned out to be mast cells which may also normally contain this substance. The GFAP positive cells in hemangioblastomas are believed to all be of astrocytic lineage. Many of the multinuclear giant cells present in monstrocellular sarcomas contained GFAP but were Factor VIII negative. Genuine fibroxanthoma of the meninges can apparently exist next to pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas. As demonstrated by one of our cases, the demonstration of GFAP alone can successfully distinguish between them.
Analytical Cellular Pathology, 2000
The relation between estrogen receptors (ER) and argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs... more The relation between estrogen receptors (ER) and argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs)in situwithin human breast cancer cells was analyzed. For AgNOR measurements in 49 invasive breast carcinomas, a new reproducible staining method for dual demonstration of ER and AgNORs was applied. Quantitative AgNOR variables were determined in ER‐positive and ER‐negative tumor cells by digital image analysis. The relationships between AgNOR parameters of ER‐positive and ER‐negative cells and other prognostic factors of breast cancer [Bloom–Richardson‐Grading and growth fraction (Ki‐67 index)] were investigated. A higher AgNOR content in ER‐negative cells and a special clustering phenomenon in ER‐positive tumor cells were found. Correlation with other criteria of malignant potential could be exclusively demonstrated for ER‐negative cells. ER‐negative cells of breast cancer can be characterized as the more malignant and possibly prognosis‐dictating cell fraction. Thus, ER‐negative cell...
Zentralblatt für Pathologie, 1991
Nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) are associated with proliferative activity of tumors. An image... more Nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) are associated with proliferative activity of tumors. An image analysis method is presented in this paper by which it is possible to analyze NOR location within the nucleus and relative to each other. Several features which characterized locations were measured in 20 urinary bladder carcinomas, eight astrocytomas, and two glioblastomas. Correlations were found to exist between those features, on the one hand, and tumor malignancy, on the other. They were particularly close in astrocytoma. Mean distance among NORs and closeness to the nuclear membrane were found to increase, as well, along with aggravating malignancy. As to the urinary bladder carcinomas examined, an unambiguous difference was found to exist between G 1 and G 1-2 carcinomas.
Analytical cellular pathology : the journal of the European Society for Analytical Cellular Pathology, 2000
In a study of 10 autopsy cases with congenital cardiac malformations we investigated whether obta... more In a study of 10 autopsy cases with congenital cardiac malformations we investigated whether obtaining a second opinion by means of telepathology could satisfy quality standards for the diagnosis of cardiac malformations and what the advantages and disadvantages of such a procedure might be. The investigatory samples were 10 formalin-fixed hearts with complex malformations from 9 fetuses and one newborn on which autopsies had been performed at the Pathological Institute of the Charité Hospital. The requests for a second opinion, which included text and image data, were sent in the form of Microsoft PowerPoint presentations to 5 experts in 4 countries. Per case the number of images that were sent was between 3 and 7. The size of the files was between 439 and 942 kb. The time required for preparation of the cases for sending them to the specialists was between 1 and 2 hours: this encompassed the time for putting the notation on the images, compressing them, creating a file that includ...
Analytical cellular pathology : the journal of the European Society for Analytical Cellular Pathology, 2000
A new staining method for dual demonstration of Estrogen receptors (ER) and argyrophilc Nucleolus... more A new staining method for dual demonstration of Estrogen receptors (ER) and argyrophilc Nucleolus-Organizer Regions (AgNORs) was developed. To rule out possible reciprocal effects, serial slides of 10 invasive ductale breast cancers were stained with either the single staining method or the simultaneous ER/AgNOR-staining method and investigated comparatively. By measuring the slides with the image analysis system AMBA, reciprocal effects could be excluded. It was proven that dual staining of both markers results in a reproducible and specific staining result. We concluded that it is justified to measure AgNORs in immunohistochemically stained cells.
Der Pathologe, 2000
As a result of the quality of prenatal ultrasound and the expanded experience of prenatal diagnos... more As a result of the quality of prenatal ultrasound and the expanded experience of prenatal diagnosticians, it is possible to observe congenital heart malformations in increasingly greater detail and at an ever earlier stage of gestation [4]. Since it is on the basis of ultrasound findings that decisions to terminate pregnancies are made, it is of cardinal importance that after termination monitoring and confirmation of the prenatal diagnosis be carried out. This need can only be adequately met by autopsy. There are different methods for carrying out autopsies when there is suspicion of a congenital heart defect: a) the Anderson sequential segmental analysis as modified according to the Berlin method; b) use of a special autoptic method corresponding to the ultrasound findings, based on defining a preferred sectional plane; c) stereomicroscopically; or d) microscopically after embedding and preparation of serial microscopic sections. For the pathologist the consequence is that he has ...