BLOOD FILM FINDINGS

Question 1

Anisocytosis

Answer 1

myelodysplatic syndrome

‘variation in the size of RBCs’

Question 2

Target cells (2 causes)

Answer 2

iron deficiency anaemia
post-splenectomy

Question 3

Heinz bodies (2 causes)

Answer 3

G6PD and alpha thalasaemia

Question 4

Howell-Joly bodies

Answer 4

severe anaemia
post-splenectomy

Question 5

Reticulocytes

Answer 5

haemolytic anaemia

Question 6

Schisotocytes

Answer 6

haemolytic uraemic syndrome
DIC
TTP

‘caused by trauma to RBC being damaged whilst circulating, usually by a network of clots’

Question 7

sideroblasts

Answer 7

myelodysplastic syndrome

‘immature RBC containing big blogs of iron’

Question 8

smudge cells

Answer 8

chronic lymphoblastic leukaemia

Question 9

spherocytes

Answer 9

autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
hereditary spherocytosis

Question 10

rouleaux formation

Answer 10

myeloma

‘RBCs stacking on top of one another’

Question 11

hypochromia

Answer 11

iron deficiency anaemia
thalassaemia

Question 12

Greek boy develops pallor and jaundice after having a lower respiratory tract infection. He has a history of neonatal jaundice. The blood film shows Heinz bodies

Answer 12

G6PD deficiency

Question 13

auer rods

Answer 13

AML

Question 14

tear drop poikilocytes

Answer 14

myelofibrosis