Blood film findings Flashcards
Anisocytosis
variation in size of the red blood cells
myelodysplasic syndrome
Heinz Bodies
individual blobs seen inside red blood cells caused by denatured globin. They can be seen in G6PD and alpha-thalassaemia.
Howell-Jolly bodies
individual blobs of DNA material seen inside red blood cells.
Sign of fast rbc regeneration. Occur in hyposplenism
Reticulocytes
immature red blood cells that are slightly larger than standard erythrocytes (RBCs) and still have RNA material in them. The RNA has a reticular (“mesh like”) appearance inside the cell
Seen in hemolytic anaemia
Schistocytes
fragments of red blood cells
indicate the red blood cells are being physically damaged by trauma during their journey through the blood vessels
haemolytic uraemic syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) or thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura.
Sideroblasts
immature red blood cells that contain blobs of iron. They occur when the bone marrow is unable to incorporate iron into the haemoglobin molecules. They can indicate a myelodysplasic syndrome.
Smudge cells
ruptured white blood cells that occur during the process of preparing the blood film due to aged or fragile white blood cells. They can indicate chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.
Spherocytes
pherical red blood cells without the normal bi-concave disk space. They can indicated autoimmune haemolytic anaemia or hereditary spherocytosis.
Target cells
central pigmented area, surrounded by a pale area, surrounded by a ring of thicker cytoplasm on the outside
These can be seen in iron deficiency anaemia and post-splenectomy.
What abnormalities might you see in hyposplenism?
Target Cells Pappenheimer Spherocytes Anisocytosis Poikilocytosis
Rouleaux formation
Seen in conditions where plasma protein is high i.e. multiple myeloma
Tear drop formation
Myelofibrosis due to abnormality bm function
