Role of fractal analysis in detection of dysplasia in potentially malignant disorders

• Published in: Journal of family medicine and primary care Vol. 9; no. 5; pp. 2448 - 2453
• Main Authors: Iqbal, Javed, Patil, Ranjitkumar, Khanna, Vikram, Tripathi, Anurag, Singh, Vandana, Munshi, M, Tiwari, Rahul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01.05.2020; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Wolters Kluwer - Medknow; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: Dysplasia; fractal analysis; Medical research; oral leukoplakia; Original; screening test; toluidine blue; oral leukoplakia; screening test; toluidine blue; Fractal analysis
• ISSN: 2249-4863; 2278-7135
• DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_159_20

Background: Fractal analysis is, a noninvasive method, used to determine the intricate characteristics of the matter. Oral leukoplakia (OL), a potential malignant disorder, has definite propensity to turn in to malignancy. In such lesions, fractal dimension analysis (FDA) could be helpful in the early detection of malignant transformation. Objectives: To determine the efficacy of fractal dimension analysis in detecting malignancy potential of oral leukoplakia. Materials and Methods: After ethical clearance, we enrolled 121 patients in our study. Lesions were photographed before and after toluidine staining. Image J software was used to analyze fractal dimensions (FDs) of digital image and results were compared with biopsy. Results: Fractal dimension value is significantly higher in leukoplakia with dysplastic changes. FD values increase as age of patients increases. FD value in leukoplakia with different tobacco products showed more positive correlation with surti/khaini abusers. Conclusion: Fractal dimension analysis is a useful method in determination of complication in OL cases and can be used as an effective, noninvasive screening tool at primary healthcare centers for early intervention.