We are in the process of putting retics back into hematology (where they
belong). A Sysmex SE9500/R Alpha II has been installed and we are doing
correlations. The Sysmex uses "auromino" instead of thiazole orange.
Today we performed a retic enumeration on a cancer patient and got very
different answers:
Thiazole orange (FACSCalibur) 5.0% abs =
191(x1000)/ul
Auromino (Sysmex SE9500/R) 0.8% abs =
30(x1000)/ul
methylene blue (manual) 0.8% abs =
30(x1000)/ul
Initially we reported the FACS result, as usual. Then the physician
called and said he did not believe the result; would we please recheck
it. We repeated the thiazole orange on the FACS, and it repeated
itself. Since the situation of the patient fit with the manual/Auromino
values, we sent out a corrected report using the manual values. Does
anyone have any idea as to why the thiazole orange count was so off the
wall? Could the patient be on some particular drug therapy that would
interfere? We have asked for a new sample on the patient, and a
detailed drug history.
I would greatly appreciate any shedding of light on this subject.
Thank you!
Kathy Altig
Southwest Washington Medical Center
Vancouver, WA
kaltig@swmedctr.com
360-256-2206
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