A SIMPLE IMAGING METHOD FOR DEMONSTRATING RED CELL SIZES TO LIFE SCIENCES STUDENTS.
Author: Satish Kumar NS , Aswini Dutt R , Maruthy KN , Dinakar Nadig , Neevan D R Dsouza
Category: Physiology
Abstract:
The red cell sizes are described in the scale of micrometers. For a novice it is difficult to imagine the cell size. Measuring cell size requires the use of advanced instruments whichmandates use of trained personnel. To measure the red cell size using a custom built microscope camera and computer based image analyzing software. Sixty peripheral blood smearswere photographed using a microscope camera. The images were stored in a computer. The retrieved images were measured offline using the software. Two independent observers recorded the red cell sizes on both randomly selected and tagged red cells of each slide. Themeanredcell widthof thetaggedredcells as measured by the first and second observer was 7.70-7.82 (Â}0.61μ) and 7.71-7.76 (Â}0.61μ) respectively. The measured red cell width ranges between 7.49-7.67 (Â}0.54μ) and 7.34-7.44 (Â}0.60μ) in untagged red cells for both the observers. The intraclass correlation coefficient for inter rater &I ntra rater reliability is 0.956 (observer 1) and 0.944 (observer 2) for tagged red cell width and 0.723 (observer 1) and 0.730 (observer2) foruntaggedredcell width. Computer based image analysismethod to determine red cell size, provides an accurate and reliable measurement, which is simple and cost effective. This method can be used to demonstrate measurement of red cell width to life-sciences students in the setting of hematology practical.
Keywords: Red cell width, Image analysis, Microscopicmeasurement, Red blood cell.
