Archives of pathology & laboratory medicine
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Arch. Pathol. Lab. Med. · Jan 1992
Automated measurement of red blood cell microcytosis and hypochromia in iron deficiency and beta-thalassemia trait.
Some routine red blood cell (RBC) measurements and indexes (count, mean volume, volume dispersion, and mean hemoglobin [HGB] concentration) can be used to differentiate iron deficiency from heterozygous beta-thalassemia. A number of formulas that incorporate two or more of these measurements have been described to amplify such differences. The H*1 hematology analyzer directly measures volume and HGB concentration of individual RBCs. ⋯ When assessed on a test data set that comprised 149 unselected cases of microcytic anemia, a microcytic-hypochromic ratio lower than 0.9 demonstrated high sensitivity (94.0%), specificity (92.3%), and predictive value (94.0%) for the presence of iron-deficient erythropoiesis in patients with isolated iron deficiency, polycythemia vera treated by phlebotomy, and iron deficiency complicating heterozygous thalassemia. In conclusion, our results showed that iron-deficient erythropoiesis is characterized by the production of RBCs with a severely decreased HGB concentration, while microcytes of beta-thalassemia trait are generally smaller, with a more preserved HGB concentration. Such properties, as assessed by the H*1 hematology analyzer, are very useful in distinguishing these two common types of microcytic anemia.
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Arch. Pathol. Lab. Med. · Aug 1991
Case ReportsPrimary hyperaldosteronism due to a functional black (pigmented) adenoma of the adrenal cortex.
The clinical and pathologic findings are reported in a case of primary hyperaldosteronism due to a functional black (pigmented) adenoma of the adrenal cortex. Cortical atrophy of the involved gland was present, the mechanism of which was obscure.
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Arch. Pathol. Lab. Med. · Mar 1991
The role of the United Network for Organ Sharing and designated organ procurement organizations in organ retrieval for transplantation.
With the increasing success of organ transplantation in this country, there are increasing numbers of patients who are awaiting a transplantable organ. Congress has established a national Organ Procurement and Transplant Network, which is administered by the United Network for Organ Sharing. Organ retrieval is performed by 70 organ procurement organizations, each having a designated service area. The need for transplantable organs falls further and further behind the increasing demand.
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Arch. Pathol. Lab. Med. · Jan 1991
Case ReportsGlomus tumor of the coccyx. A curable cause of coccygodynia.
A 30-year-old woman presented with recurrent severe coccygodynia. She underwent exploration for a possible pilonidal sinus and was found to have a precoccygeal glomus tumor that also involved bony trabeculae of the coccyx. To our knowledge, a glomus tumor involving the coccygeal bone has not been previously documented. In view of the relief of this patient's pain following the surgical excision of coccyx and tumor, a causal role is suggested.