Comparative study between biochemical and histological methods and image analysis in liver iron overload.

Abstract

Iron overload has been measured in 100 hepatic biopsies by three different methods: (i) biochemical assay of the liver iron concentration (LIC), (ii) histological grading (HISTO) and (iii) automated image analysis with a Leitz Texture Analysis System by estimating two parameters, (a) the total iron area (TIA) and (b) the first grey level step (FGLS) at which the iron is detected. Image analysis appears as a specific, sensitive, quick, reproducible and valid method.