A new multi-head microscope at the Draguignan hospital laboratory

Maintaining bone marrow cytology activity (study of cells present in bone marrow samples, Editor's note) in the medical biology laboratory department of the Dracénie Hospital Center (CHD) was the aim of a co-financing operation aimed at acquiring a multi-head microscope as a training tool to ensure the transfer of experience between two doctors, one of whom will soon be retiring.

The department had been requesting funding for this equipment since 2023 from the CHD Investment Monitoring Committee (Comsi), but it was rejected as it was considered non-priority equipment. The request was resubmitted in 2024, but given the public hospital's financial difficulties, resulting in a limited budget, it was necessary to turn to another source of funds. This search ultimately resulted in co-financing by donors. Thus, it is thanks to Crédit Agricole and the Lions Club of Cannet-des-Maures, Doyen de Draguignan, Pierre de la Fée, Brignoles, Lorgues and Draguignan Saint-Hermentaire, that the equipment, worth €16,000, was able to be acquired.

Why multi-headed?

What is the purpose of this device, delivered in February 2025 and then supplemented last June with a digital camera to capture images of the samples observed? "The advantage is to be able to read the tests by two operators at the same time. To have a pointer that allows a cell to be shown to discuss it more collegially during complex cases and establish a diagnosis from the same observation," explains Aurélie Smets, doctor in charge of the medical biology laboratory service at the CHD.

She adds: "This microscope was important because Dr. Eric Gardien, our cytologist biologist who handles myelograms (1), is at the end of his career. In anticipation of his replacement, we have recruited Dr. Laurène Zimmer, a biologist who does hematology, since September 2024. We really wanted her to be able to be trained by working with Dr. Gardien until he retires. This two-headed microscope is therefore perfect for him to ensure the transmission of his 30 years of experience. Plant science skills take a long time to acquire. We will therefore take advantage of this overlapping period to ensure that Dr. Zimmer is completely independent when Dr. Gardien leaves."

This equipment will also make it possible to "provide daily training for all technical staff," adds the department manager.

While this microscope does not provide superior optical magnification compared to the department's current equipment, it is, however, "equipped with a polarizing analyzer for crystal identification, and the laboratory did not have one before. Crystals can be found in joint fluids and urine; observing them allows us to direct our attention to a type of pathology. With this equipment, we can also read blood and bone marrow smears. We can also perform cytology of fluids, joint punctures, ascites, pleural and cerebrospinal fluid," explains Dr. Laurène Zimmer.

Other practical applications

By detecting urinary and joint crystals, this microscope is used, among other things, for the early detection of metabolic diseases in children and the diagnosis of crystal arthritis. It is also useful for reading blood smears to diagnose blood parasites such as malaria, which is of interest to people who have traveled to endemic areas, such as soldiers. The device is also useful in the diagnosis and monitoring of hematological diseases (leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma). Regarding the need to maintain this activity locally within the CHD, Dr. Smets concludes: "This offers us a very high level of responsiveness between diagnosis and patient care."

1. A myelogram is a medical examination that analyzes the bone marrow and quantifies the different cell populations. Depending on their proportions, they indicate the pathology.