Angioarchitectural heterogeneity in XXXX @entity463 multiforme: a fractal-based histopathological assessment.

@entity5 @entity1 @entity463 @entity1313
There is currently no standard technique to objectively quantify the microvascularization of @entity1313 . Fractal analysis has been proposed as a useful descriptor of @entity5 microvascularity. Standardization of the fractal analysis methodology could offer a new tool for this type of characterization. In this study, we applied fractal analysis to the characterization of the different angioarchitectures found in specimens of @entity463 multiforme (GBM), the most common and most malignant type of @entity1 @entity1313 . A retrospective series of 114 primary GBM specimens was carried out. To quantify neoplastic microvascularity, the level of two-dimensional geometrical complexity of the microvascular patterns was assessed using the box-counting algorithm, which estimates the microvascular fractal dimension (mvFD). mvFD makes information on the non-Euclidean space filled by vessels embedded in the @entity5 microenvironment available because it depends on vessel number, shape, magnitude and distribution pattern. A mean mvFD value of 1.44    0.17 (range: 1.06-1.87) was found. The coefficient of variation was 44%. The high geometric variability, found objectively, in these samples reflects the angioarchitectural heterogeneity underlying GBM. The present study shows that angioarchitectural subtypes can be identified by mvFD, making this parameter a potential tool for quantifying different neoplastic microvascular patterns.
