Value of scattergrams in screening of haematological malignancies on Sysmex XN analyser

• Nikhil Sanjay Deshpande,  
• Shreyans Amrutlal Amin,*  
• Ravindra Raosaheb Karle,  
• Suryakant D Dongre

Abstract

Background: Automated haematology analysers are widely used with more & more sophisticated versions over the years. They provide valuable numerical as well as graphical data (histograms & scattergrams) which are helpful in predicting various diseases including RBC as well as WBC disorders. We aimed to analyse the pattern of white blood cell differential (WDF) and white cell nucleated region (WNR) scattergrams in cases of haematological malignancies. Material and Methods: This was an observational descriptive type cross-sectional study of a total 25 newly diagnosed cases of haematological malignancies over a period of 6 months confirmed by peripheral blood smear (PBS) examination and cytochemistry. All haematological malignancies were categorised according to French American British (FAB) classification and WHO classification. All cases were analysed using Sysmex XN 3100 haematology analyser and analysed for WDF & WNR scattergrams. Results: Out of 25 cases 9 cases were of Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML) chronic phase, 9 cases of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) including 6 cases of AML M2, single case of AML M3 and 2 cases of AML M5-2. There were 4 cases of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) and 3 cases of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL). Our analysis of WDF channel scattergram in cases of CML and ALL showed unique patterns correlating with previous studies. Also, The WNR channel showed unique findings of scatter beyond the fourth decade in acute leukaemia, which also correlated with past studies. Conclusion: Scattergrams can be used as screening aids in differentiating and screening haematological neoplastic conditions using pattern analysis.

Keywords

automated cell counter, hematological malignancies, Scattergram