Correlation of haematological parameters and C-reactive protein between cord blood and first post-natal blood sample in preterm neonates: A prospective observational study.

AIM: There is some recent evidence on the utility of the cord blood as a reliable source for admission complete blood count in preterm neonates. However, there is a need to validate other laboratory parameters from the cord blood such as C-reactive protein (CRP) to rule out neonatal sepsis. The present study was carried out to evaluate the correlation between haematological parameters and CRP obtained from the cord blood to the first post-natal blood sample, for it to be considered as a reliable alternative. METHODS: A total of 89 paired cord blood and first post-natal blood samples were prospectively analysed to assess the haematological parameters (complete blood count) and CRP. Pearson's coefficient was calculated to assess the correlation between the cord blood and the first post-natal blood sample. RESULTS: When Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated for various haematological parameters, it showed good correlation coefficient of 0.84 for total leukocyte count, 0.84 for absolute neutrophil count count, 0.87 for immature to total neutrophil ratio and 0.95 for CRP. The correlation coefficient was 0.64 for haemoglobin and 0.36 for platelet count. CONCLUSION: There is a strong correlation between the majority of haematological parameters and CRP obtained from the cord blood with the first post-natal blood sample in preterm neonates, except the platelet count. Hence, umbilical cord blood is a feasible and reliable alternative source for assessment of haematological parameters and CRP for the first post-natal blood sample, thereby avoiding a painful prick in these fragile preterm neonates.

Interobserver variation is a significant limitation in the diagnosis of Burkitt lymphoma.

CONTEXT: The pathology of classic Burkitt lymphoma (BL) remains a challenge despite being a well-defined entity, in view of the significant overlap with atypical BL and B-cell lymphoma intermediate between DLBL (diffuse large B cell lymphoma) and BL. They are difficult to be segregated in resource-limited setups which lack molecular testing facilities. This is further affected by interobserver variability and experience of the reporting pathologist. AIMS: The aim of our study was to quantitate variability among a group of pathologists with an interest in lymphomas (albeit with variable levels of experience) and quantitate the benefit of joint discussions as a tool to increase accuracy and reduce interobserver variability of pathologists, in the diagnosis of BL in a resource-limited setup. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A set of 25 non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases in which a diagnosis of BL was entertained were circulated to 14 participating pathologist within the Mumbai lymphoma study group. A proforma recorded the morphologic and immunohistochemical features perceived during the initial independent diagnosis followed by a consensus meeting for discussion on morphology and additional information pertinent to the case. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS AND RESULTS: The concordance was poor for independent diagnosis among all the pathologists with kappa statistics (±SE) of 0.168 (±0.018). Expert lymphoma pathologists had the highest (albeit only fair) concordance (kappa = 0.373 ± 0.071) and general pathologists the lowest concordance (kappa = 0.138 ± 0.035). Concordance for morphological diagnosis was highest among expert lymphoma pathologists (kappa = 0.356 ± 0.127). Revision of diagnoses after consensus meeting was highest for B-cell lymphoma intermediate between DLB and BL. To conclude, interobserver variation is a significant problem in BL in the post WHO 2008 classification era. Experience with a larger number of cases and joint discussion exercises such as the one we conducted are needed as they represent a simple and effective way of improving diagnostic accuracy of pathologists working in a resource-limited setup.

Sinonasal neurogenic tumours.

Among the surgically excised or biopsied sinonasal tumours in a span of ten years, the neurogenic tumours formed 6.7% of all sinonasal tumours. They were eight in number, three schwannomas, two neurofibromas and three malignant schwannomas with occurrence in a wide age range and no gender predilection. Nasal obstruction and epistaxis were common modes of presentation with a unilateral location. The diagnosis of benign neurogenic tumours do not pose difficulty. However, malignant schwannoma should be considered when one encounters a cellular spindle cell lesion in sinonasal region.