Potential of the ImageJ software in the differentiation of various types of canine lymphadenopathies with fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC)

This study was designed to evaluate the potential of the ImageJ software in the differentiation of various types of lymphadenopathies with fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). For this purpose, the samples of enlarged mandibular lymph node were selected from 46 dogs suspected of lymphadenopathy and 10 healthy dogs as a control. The target tissues were obtained from the animals by fine needle aspiration and lymph node removed by surgery. The samples were then prepared for cytological and histological study. Finally, the ImageJ software was used to evaluate the quantitative nuclear morphometric parameters. The data obtained from nuclear parameters (diameter, circularity, area, and perimeter) revealed a significant difference between the control group and the hyperplasia and lymphoma groups. There is also a significant difference between the lymphoma and hyperplasia groups (P < 0.05). These results indicated that cytology is a fast, easy, and cost-effective method for the diagnosis of lymph node lesions and cytomorphologic assessment by image analysis software can increase the diagnostic accuracy.