DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2015.v03i01.075

Pages: 376-378

With increasing use of electronic hematology cell counters macrocytosis is often encountered. Various etiological factors contribute to the development of macrocytosis. This study is from Kerala State, India and is a retrospective analysis of cases ofspurious macrocytosis which can occur with cell counters. The aim of the study was to find out retrospectively the prevalence and causes of spurious macrocytosis among cases sent for peripheral smear evaluation over a 30 month period. Macrocytosis was defined as MCV value more than 97 fl. Blood samples with MCV higher than 97 fl which were received in the Department of Pathology, Amala Institute of Medical Sciences, Thrissur, Kerala State, India for peripheral smear examination were selected for this study spanning a period of 30 months. There were 137 cases of macrocytosis detected by analyzers. From them those cases in which peripheral smear examination revealed no macrocytosis were selected. Among the 137 cases of macrocytosis 12 cases showed no macrocytosis in the blood smears. The causes we found were multiple myeloma (MM) which comprised 8 cases and 2 cases of hyperglycemia. Spurious macrocytosis is occasionally encountered with increased use of electronic hematology cell counters which can be due to many different reasons. It is important to be aware of this potential pitfall while evaluating hemograms.