Haematology Flashcards
What is anisocytosis
Variation in size of RBCW
Causes of anisocytosis
- Myelodysplastic syndrome
- Many types of anaemia, e.g. iron deficiency, pernicious, autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
What are target cells
RBC with central pigmented area surrounded by pale area, surrounded by ring of thicker cytoplasm on the outside
Causes of target cells
- Iron deficiency anaemia
- Post splenectomy
- Sickle cell/thalassaemia
- Liver disease
What are Heinz bodies
Individual blobs (inclusions) seen inside RBC - denatured haemoglobin
Causes of Heinz bodies
- G6PD deficiency
- Alpha thalassaemia
What are Howell-Jolly bodies
Individual blobs of DNA material seen inside RBC
Causes of Howell-Jolly bodies
- Splenectomy or non-functioning spleen
- Severe anaemia
What are reticulocytes
Immature RBC - larger than normal RBC, and still have RNA material in them
Cause of high retic %
Rapid turnover of RBC, e.g. haemolytic anaemia
What are schistocytes
Fragments of RBC
Causes of schistocytes
- Microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia (small blood clots obstruct small blood vessels)
- Metallic heart valve replacement
Causes of microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia
- Haemolytic uraemic syndrome
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation
- Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
What are sideroblasts
Immature red blood cells with a nucleus surrounded by iron blobs, seen in sideroblastic anaemia
What is sideroblastic anaemia
When bone marrow cannot incorporate iron into the haemoglobin molecules
