Quantification of Cutaneous Mast Cell Using Image Analysis

Kim, Il Hwan; Oh, Yong Sub; Hong, Jin Ho; Song, Hae Jun; Oh, Chil Hwan

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The presence of mast cells often in increased numbers, has been noted in various cutaneous disorders. Recent studies suggest that mast cells are of primary importance in these conditions and their presence does not merely represent a second event. Previous reports of mast cell enumeration in normal and pathologic tissues have revealed inconsistent results, reflecting technical difficulties in quantitation.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of our study is to develop a new approach for quantifying mast cell in tissue section that is accurate, reproducible and avoids problems caused by the variation in distribution of these cells in the tissue.
METHODS
Mast. cells were quantitated in eight cases of mastocytosis and in the flank and back skin of three normal human controls in toluidine blue stain using a computerized image analysis system.
RESULTS
Macular and nodular mastocytosis patients had from twenty-fold to nearly a 100-fold greater mast cell content than was observed in normal skin.
CONCLUSION
Image analysis in conjunction with toluidine blue stain offers a single and accurate method for mast cell quantification. This technique also provides a practical and important new diagnostic tool for establishing the presence of increased lesional skin mast cells in patients with mastocytosis.