2-D index as a measure for estimating the complexity degree of 3-D sinusoidal structures in the normal and cirrhotic liver and in hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the usefulness of a two-dimensional (2-D) index from a single tissue section as a measure for estimating the complexity degree of three-dimensional (3-D) sinusoidal structure in normal and cirrhotic liver and in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

STUDY DESIGN

The number of sinusoidal profiles, or 2-D index, in a given square area 400 x 400 microns 2 on a single tissue section was counted. The number was compared with the first Betti number of 3-D sinusoidal structures, obtained from previous reconstruction studies.

RESULTS

The mean number of sinusoidal profiles (+/- SD) was 104.2 +/- 13.1 in 5 normal livers, 77.0 +/- 15.8 in 10 cirrhotic livers and 34.0 +/- 10.7 in 10 HCCs. Each difference between the three groups was statistically significant (P < .01). The number of sinusoidal profiles was approximately linearly related to the first Betti number of the sinusoids. The correlation coefficient = .77.

CONCLUSION

The 2-D index, or number of sinusoidal profiles in a given area on a single tissue section, was useful for estimating the degree of complexity of the 3-D sinusoidal network.