The use of digital cell image analysis of Feulgen-stained nuclei to quantitatively describe morphonuclear features in a series of 174 meningiomas.

The morphonuclear characteristics of 174 meningiomas were quantitatively described by means of the digital cell image analyses of Feulgen-stained nuclei. For this purpose, archival material, i.e., formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded pronase-digested tumors, was used. The present work specifically focuses on the morphonuclear features of angioblastic meningiomas to localize them with respect to classical as opposed to malignant meningiomas. The results show that angioblastic meningiomas, i.e., hemangioblastomas, have morphonuclear characteristics that are very similar to those of classical meningiomas, i.e., meningotheliomatous, fibroblastic, transitional, angiomatous, and psammomatous types, and that are significantly distinct from those of malignant meningiomas. Malignant meningiomas, i.e., the hemangiopericytic and histologic features of malignancy types, are not only significantly different from classical meningiomas in their morphonuclear characteristics but are also very different among themselves. In conclusion, the quantitative description of chromatin features by means of digital cell image analyses confirms at the morphonuclear level the adherence of hemangioblastomas to the group of classical meningiomas, as suggested by the World Health Organization's histopathologic classification.