Morphologic and morphometric techniques for the detection of drug- and toxin-induced changes in lung

The lung is one of the main target organs of drug-induced toxicity. An assemblage of quantitative techniques is available to make precise determinations of structural effects. While stereology is the principal technique, particularly in its application to the parenchyma, other compartments such as the airways and vasculature demand modifications or different methods altogether. The new methods of molecular biology can now be used to uncover the mechanisms underlying drug toxicity and with a more rational use of image analysis are likely to yield quantitative data. Established techniques that quantify structural change combined with more novel approaches that utilize molecular interventions may emerge as exciting integrated approaches in this important field.