Use of the positive difference transform for RBC elimination in bone marrow smear images

The use of an algorithm with a broad range of utility in digital image processing (the positive difference transform) is illustrated. Its effectiveness as a procedure for selective elimination of hemoglobin-containing images is demonstrated. A set of heuristics, employing information concerning nuclear hemoglobin content, is shown to discriminate nucleated erythrocytic cells from those of the leukocyte series.