Fractal and lacunar dimension of the chorionic villi of molar pregnancy.

Objective: To explore the role of fractal geometry to differentiate molar pregnancies from normal chorionic villi.

Study design: We selected at random 15 cases each of first-trimester normal chorionic villi, complete hydatidiform mole, and partial mole. Fractal dimension (FD) and lacunar dimension (LD) were measured in each case using the box counting method. FD and LD were compared in the three groups.

Results: Mean FD was highest in the normal chorionic villi (1.7520), followed by partial mole (1.6696) and complete mole (1.6438). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant difference of FD in normal villi vs. complete (p < 0.001) and partial mole (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference of FD between complete and the partial mole. The mean LD of normal, partial, and complete molar villi was 0.5067 +/- 0.6944, 0.6063 +/- 0.09670, and 0.5551 +/- 0.11277, respectively. The mean LD was significantly increased between partial mole and normal villi (ANOVA, p < 0.006). However, there was no significant difference of LD between the partial and complete mole and between complete mole and normal villi.

Conclusion: The measurement of FD and LD along with the histopathology of the lesions may be helpful to distinguish molar and nonmolar villi.