Relevance of morphometric parameters for the classification of normal white blood cells.

An interactive morphometry system (Leitz T.A.S.) was used to extract 39 parameters from 1506 cells of five normal WBC classes. The data set was split in a learning set and a test set, and the value of each single parameter and of combinations of parameters was assessed with the interactive pattern recognition system ISPAHAN. A combination of nine densitogram parameters gave a correct classification in 92.6%; adding four geometrical and seven counting densitogram parameters improved this to 98.5%. It appeared that simple measurements are sufficient for a correct differentiation into the normal white blood cell types. In a pilot study fo 40 normal myeloid bone marrow cells of four classes a correct discrimination between mature and immature cells was reached in 93%. Extraction of parameters with the T.A.S. and their subsequent evaluation with ISPAHAN appeared to be an efficient method of white blood cell classification probably including immature cell types.