Quantitative Histological Analysis of the Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction

Yun, Seok Jung; Lee, Hyun Moo; Kim, Wun Jae

Abstract

The ureteropelvic junction is one of the most common site of obstruction in the upper urinary tract, though the etiology is still unclear. In the present study, a quantitative histological analysis of the ureteropelvic junction(UPJ) obstruction was performed on 23 patient specimens(10 children, 13 adults) and 14 normal control specimens(6 children, 8 adults). Color image analysis system was employed to examine and compare collagen and smooth muscle components of the lamina muscularis layer. Tissue matrix ratio, that is collagen-to-smooth muscle ratio, was calculated using Bio Scan OPTIMAS Ver 4.02. Relative ratio of lamina propria and lamina muscularis to UPJ was calculated as percentage provided by "Img Pro" computer program. The results showed an increased tissue matrix ratio of 0.68+/-0.42 in the child patient group compared with the value of 0.30+/-0.10 in the child control group(p<0.05), also the increased tissue matrix ratio of 1.45+/-1.67 in the adult patient group compared to 0.48+/-0.25 in the adult control group(p<0.05). But relative ratio of the lamina propria and lamina muscularis to UPJ was not statistically significant for each group(p>0.05). Our findings emphasize a significant increase in the tissue matrix ration(collagen-to-smooth muscle ratio) of the UPJ obstruction.