Recent developments and the importance of the volume estimation in biomedical sciences

Abstract

Introduction Recently, scientists who performed morphological, comparative and experimental studies have tried to get more efficient and accurate information from the interested tissue. The volume estimation is part of this information and an important criterion for the biomedical sciences. It increases the confidence in the data obtained. The volumetric change is an indicator of an organ's health status. It is also important in the clinical diagnosis of a tumour, therapy planning and control of the tumour's growth. The important data obtained using the Cavalieri principle is considered the best volume estimation method. This method, a stereological tool, allows precise estimates about the related object. Scientists and clinicians both use this method under in vivo and in vitro conditions. The method could combine in vivo by computed tomography and magnetic resonance images and in vitro after the classical histological tissue processing. The aim of this article was to discuss the recent developments and the importance of the volume estimation in biomedical sciences. Methodology The Cavalieri principle could estimate an object's volume under in vitro and in vivo conditions. In vitro estimations-First, the tissue is sliced at a random starting point at parallel and equal intervals. Then, the surface areas of these slices (just one and the same side of each slice) are measured by a randomly superposed point grid. The point counting procedure could be done on a computer loaded with stereology software. In vivo estimations-This measurement is done on magnetic resonance and computed tomography images. The parallel and equally sliced images of the related objects are obtained from the magnetic resonance and computed tomography. At the monitor, the software places the point grid on these images and the estimations are calculated. Conclusion The Cavalieri principle estimates the total volume of an organ and its subcomponents more accurately and precisely than the other methods. It runs simply and easily and produces efficient results.