Color Atlas of Hematology: An Illustrated Field Guide Based on Proficiency Testing

Edited by Eric F. Glassy, 370 pp, with illus, 150, Northfield, Ill, College of American Pathologists, 1998. The foundation for Color Atlas of Hematology is described in its subtitle, An Illustrated Field Guide Based on Proficiency Testing. Color Atlas of Hematology, the work of the Atlas Subcommittee of the Hematology and Clinical Microscopy Resource Committee of the College of American Pathologists (CAP), was developed from the proficiency testing program of the CAP. Since 1979, photomicrograph transparencies have been distributed to subscribers in lieu of glass slides. Consequently, the collection of photomicrographs amassed by the CAP is a substantial and valuable resource as a teaching tool. The Atlas is divided into several major sections dealing with such broad subjects as granulocytic cells, erythrocytic cells and inclusions, nucleated red cells, and artifacts. Within each major section, the appropriate specific cell types and subjects are discussed. Information about each cell is divided into 4 parts: a fact sheet containing vital statistics, text expanding on the information in the fact sheet, color illustrations showing key points, and photomicrographs of previous proficiency testing exercises with accompanying referee and participant data. In addition, interspersed sections (labeled “A Closer Look at. . . ;”) expand on areas not adequately covered in the standardized format. For example, highlighted topics include subjects such as morphologic keys to identifying early normoblasts, cytoplasmic inclusions in bone marrow cells, and species differences among microfilariae. According to the “Preface, ” the Atlas was not designed to be a comprehensive hematology atlas and covers only those cells included in the current Master List from the CAP. Nevertheless, extensive information is presented in a succinct and colorful manner. The illustrations are helpful, augmenting points made in the text and highlighting examples of important features that may not be available in a photomicrograph. A problem inherent to any publication that reproduces images from glass slides is that of accurate color reproduction, as noted in the “Preface. ” However, although the color of Wright-Giemsa–stained cells in the photomicrographs may not be reproduced to perfection, the important teaching points generally remain obvious and clear, and the color variations are not overly distracting. Selected references are included in an appendix, but they are not extensive. Many general textbooks are listed for those interested in more comprehensive reference texts. For the benefit of laboratories using the Atlas, several appendices provide additional information, such as the Hematology Master List (with proficiency testing codes) and CAP Hematology Proficiency Testing Challenges, which are listed by Master List identification and by year. Color Atlas of Hematology should serve very well as a teaching and reference source for a variety of students and practitioners of laboratory hematology. The “A Closer Look At. . . ” sections provide particularly useful information that may not be quickly available in a standard textbook or atlas, forinstance, comparisons of entities (eg, erythrocyte inclusions) or formation of various cells (eg, target cells or ringed sideroblasts). The authors stress that the Atlas is a “field guide” and, indeed, this book provides a practical approach to cell identification. For laboratories wishing to develop proficiency testing into a more powerful tool for continuing education, the Atlas should prove valuable.