The value of the white precursor cell channel (WPC) on the Sysmex XN-1000 analyser in a specialist paediatric hospital.

BACKGROUND: Historically, haematology analyser flags for abnormal white blood cells (WBCs) show good sensitivity but lower specificity, causing unnecessary blood film reviews. While the WBC differential channel on Sysmex XE and XN instruments reports a combined flag for blasts/abnormal lymphocytes, the new white precursor cell channel (WPC) on the XN series has been introduced to separate this into a specific flag for either cell type or, if no abnormality, remove the flag entirely. AIMS: To compare the efficiency of abnormal WBC flags from the XN WPC to our existing analyser and determine whether WPC can reduce false positive flags and blood films required. METHODS: Abnormal WBC flags from the Sysmex XE-5000 and XN-1000 were compared to manual differential and blood film morphology on 300 K2EDTA samples from infants and children. RESULTS: The XN WPC flag for blasts was more sensitive and specific than flags indicating blasts on the XE-5000, with a reduction in false positives from 64% (XE) to 36% (XN). Overall efficiency of the WPC flag for abnormal lymphocytes was 94% vs 79% on the XE. WPC reduced false positive flags for blasts and abnormal lymphocytes on neonatal samples by 50%. Automatic reflex analysis by WPC correctly removed a false positive flag from the white cell differential channel on 46% of samples. Total abnormal WBC flags from XN WPC were less (73) than the XE-5000 (92). CONCLUSIONS: XN WPC demonstrated superior efficiency of abnormal WBC flags on paediatric samples, compared to the XE-5000, with greater sensitivity and specificity of flagging, reducing blood films for review.

An unusual cause of apareunia.

A 49-year-old woman with history of rheumatoid arthritis presented with worsening pelvic pain. A pelvic computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a fracture and a lytic expansile lesion within the right superior and inferior pubic rami. The diagnosis of "insufficiency fractures secondary to rheumatoid arthritis" was established. Six months later, she started describing pain and fullness sensation in the vagina which eventually led to a complete apareunia. An x ray confirmed healing of the previous fractures, fracture of both left superior and inferior pubic rami, and an upwards shift of the right hemi-pelvis. Conservative management was chosen. Twelve months later, no improvement occurred and she was still apareunic. A "corrective osteotomy surgery" was performed and the displaced pubic rami and ischial tuberosities were remodelled bilaterally through a vertical incision over each labia majora. These bones were partially excised until an adequate vaginal opening was established. Her symptoms have impressively resolved with complete reverse of the apareunia.