Fig. 9

Discrimination between cirrhosis, dysplastic lesions and hepatocellular carcinoma using quantifiable spectral markers. Seven patients exhibiting benign or dysplastic nodules were investigated by FTIR microspectroscopy using a FTIR microscope equipped with an internal infrared source. For each patient, acquisitions were performed on 5 maps with about 200 spectra per map. a Boxplots of ratio calculated by two areas (1050–1010 cm⁻¹/1180–950 cm⁻¹), baseline of 1180–950 cm⁻¹. b Boxplots of ratio calculated by two areas (1280–1200 cm⁻¹/1180–950 cm⁻¹), baseline of 1360–950 cm⁻¹. c Boxplots of ratio calculated by two main peak areas (1410–1380 cm⁻¹/1470–1430 cm⁻¹), baseline of 1480–1360 cm⁻¹. Statistical analysis was performed on each individual patient with paired t test (*p < 0.05). C cirrhosis, HG high grade dysplastic nodule, LG low grade dysplastic nodule, eHCC early hepatocellular carcinoma, P patient