Alan Neal
Reputation Activity
-
Alan Neal got a reaction from SMILLER in Neutrophil "Green Crystals of Death"
We have seen these in a number of very 'sick' patients - most recent case in a Gram Neg sepsis with DIC & 'bugs' in neutrophils!
We do report with following comment - Neutrophils show green inclusions-indicates severe toxic state (& we would alert clinician).
-
Alan Neal got a reaction from SMILLER in MCV and hyperglycemia
We have seen this on a number of occasions - Usually a significant delta change MCV failure, with low MCHC.
We don't do a correction, but make a comment: Note the discrepancy with previous MCV. Hyperglycaemia may interfere with RBC indices, esp. MCV. Suggest correlate with glucose levels
-
-
Alan Neal got a reaction from rravkin@aol.com in Strong Cold Agglutinins and CBC results
A few comments:
Beware of running strong Cold agg samples initially cold and the subsequently warm. Most Haematology analysers sample from the bottom of tube, with strong Cold Aggs (especially those anaemic) this may result in a significant volume of concentrated RBC's being removed from tube, when sample warmed and re-analysed then patient may become significantly more anaemic! (So we only allow 5 g/L difference between runs). We use Middleware rules to identify these known patients and prevent these samples to be run 'cold'. Why worry about not reporting RBC, MCV, MCH etc in this small set of patients, clinically they need accurate WBC / Diff, Hb & Plts. Beware of using warmed diluents, this will cause MCV shift (Dependant on analyser), so will need to validate procedure. -
Alan Neal got a reaction from kackieanne in BANDS
WBC Differential /Band cell counts:
Suggest review these publications:
CAP survey 1995 Lab Hematol 1,89 - Inter and Intra observer consistency
Eur J Haematol 2006:76: 251-254. Good article Re variation of WBC Diff with a number of morphologist review digital images
ISLH recent publication June 2015: ICSH recommendations for the standardization of nomenclature and grading of peripheral blood cell morphological features - which recommends that band cells be counted with neutrophils (Also directs to an image library)
I would question the value of this enumeration in the 21st cent., also consider the significant variation (LoU) of band cell counting..
Our local evaluation with digital images, gave a LoU of > 40% (Which is a good result!), hence we do not report bands cell counts, but will only make a comment.