Haematology Flashcards
FBC
Full blood count
WBC
White blood count
Leucocytes
White blood cells. Includes polymorphs, lymphocytes and monocytes.
Blood film
Stained smear for light microscopy inspection.
WBC differential
WBC differential may be obtained from inspection of the blood film or directly from the haematology FBC analyser. This determines the number of polymorphs, lymphocytes and monocytes in the total WBC.
Monocytes
Circulating phagocytic cells will become tissue macrophages.
Polymorph
The polymorphnuclear leucocyte.
Granulocyte
Cells with 2-5 nuclear lobes and granules in the cytoplasm. Staining characteristics of the granules identify:
NEUTROPHILS: neutral staining granules in cytoplasm.
BASOPHILS: basophilic granules. Basophils migrate to the tissues to become Mast cells.
EOSINOPHILS: eosinophils granules.
Neutrophilia
Increased neutrophils.
Neutropenia
Decreased neutrophils.
Lymphocytosis
Increased lymphocytes
Activated lymphocytes
Often seen in viral infections
Atypical mononuclear cells
Atypical reactive (CD8) lymphocytes in certain infections such as glandular fever and viral hepatitis.
Thrombocytopenia
Reduced platelets
Thrombocytosis
Increased platelets
Hypochromic microcytic
Poorly haemoglobinsed and small RBCs (decreased MCH, decreased MCV). Seen in iron deficiency, chronic disease and thalassaemia trait.
MCV/MCH
Mean corpuscular volume (RBC size). Mean corpuscular Hb content.
Reticulocytes
immature RBCs. Normally <2% of RBCs. No nucleus but some persisting RNA. Polychromatic (blue-purple) appearance in the blood film.
Rouleaux
RBC columns seen in samples with raised globulin or raised fibrinogen levels ie. myeloma, chronic inflammation/infection.
Target cells
RBC appearance frequently seen in liver disease (particularly in biliary obstruction), also seen in haemoglobinopathies
Spherocytes
Spherocytic RBCs seen in haemolysis particularly autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) and hereditary spherocytosis
Howell-Jolly Bodies
Nuclear fragments in RBC in hyposplenic patients.
Macrocytes
Large RBCs (increase in MCV) seen in B12/folate deficiency, hepatic disease, hypothyroidism.
Anisopoiklocytosis
Abnormalities of RBC shape and size seen in B12/folate deficiency.
RBC fragmentation
Seen in mechanical haemolytic anaemias eg. prosthetic valve malfunction.
Haemoglobinopathy
Abnormality of globin synthesis.
Direct Coombs Test
Test to detect presence of antibody on RBC surface (positive in AIHA, HDN).
Erythroblasts
Nucleated RBC prescursors
Megaloblasts
The abnormal nucleated RBC precursors seen in B12 or Folate deficiency.
Megakaryocytes
Platelet precursors
Bone marrow aspirate
Aspiration of marrow granules to provide cellular detail.
Bone marrow trephine biopsy
Removal of core of bone and marrow provides detail of architecture and infiltration.
Leukaemic blasts
The abnormal primitive blast cells that are found in the bone marrow (and often also in the peripheral blood) in Acute leukaemia and poor prognosis myelodysplastic syndromes.
AML
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (the more common acute leukaemia seen in adults).
ALL
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (more common in children).
CML
Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia
CLL
Chronic Lymphatic Leukaemia
Myelodysplastic syndromes
Describes the bone marrow appearance when abnormal (dysplastic) cell growth occurs. Previously called pre-leukaemic as MDS can progress to secondary AML.
Myeloproliferative
Describes proliferation of cells in the bone marrow with normal (non dysplastic) appearance. CML, polycythaemia Vera, Essential thrombocythaemia and myelofibrosis.
Myeloma
Malignant proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow. Note this is a lymphoproliferative disease NOT a myeloproliferative disease.
PT
Prothrombin time. Test of extrinsic pathway of coagulation sensitive to Warfarin and liver disease.
INR
International Normalised Ratio. Measure of warfarin activity.
PTT
Partial Thromboplastin Time. Also known as APTT (activated PTT) and KCCT (Kaolin Cephalin clotting time). Measure of intrinsic pathway sensitive to IV Heparin.
Coagulation
Term to describe the coagulation cascade and the pathways (extrinsic and intrinsic) that lead to the conversion of Fibrinogen to Fibrin. Do not confuse with the term Agglutination which describes RBCs being stuck together (agglutinated) by RBC antibodies.
Purpura/Petechiae
Pin point bleeding on skin and mucous membranes. Usually due to thrombocytopenia or less commonly vasculitis (the glass test: purpura does not blanch on pressure. Telangiectasia will blanch).
Ecchymoses
Bruises
DIC
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation. Consumption of coagulation factors and platelets.
Factor concentrates
Freeze dried coagulation factors. Can be prepared from donated plasma (ie. Beriplex: contains factors II, VII, IX, X for warfarin reversal) or by recombinant technology ie. Recombinant F VIII for Haemophilia A).
Group and screen
Determine ABO and Rh group. Screen plasma for immune RBC antibodies.
Packed RBCs
Units of blood from which most plasma has been removed.
FFP
Fresh Frozen Plasma.
PPS
Plasma Protein Solution (Albumin 5%).
20% Albumin
Salt poor high Albumin
Cryoprecipitate
Prepared from donated plasma. Rich in F VIII and fibrinogen.
Indirect Coombs Test
Test to detect the presence of RBC antibodies in plasma. This test is the basis of the cross match and antibody screen in group and screen.
What is the management plan of splenic injury?
Conservative, interventional radiology or splenectomy.
What is the definition of a ‘major haemorrhage’?
Loss of more than one blood volume within 24 hours (around 70mL/kg, >5litres in a 70kg adult). 50% of total blood volume lost in less than 3 hours. Bleeding in excess of 150ml/minute.
What is in a ‘major haemorrhage pack’?
6U PRC (packed red cells), 4U of FFP (fresh frozen plasma) and 1 pooled platelets.
What are some of the complications of major haemorrhage?
Hypothermia, acidosis, coagulopathy, hypocalcaemia.
Name some hereditary conditions that impair bone marrow function
Thalassaemia, sickle cell anaemia, fanconi anaemia, dyskeratosis congentia, hereditary leukemia (very rare).
Name some acquired conditions impairing bone marrow function
Aplastic anaemia, leukaemia, myelodysplasia, metastatic malignancy, infections, chemotherapy.
Name 3 classical myeloproliferative disorders
Polycythaemia rubra vera, essential thrombocytosis and myelofibrosis.
What are the high risk features for Essential Thrombocytosis?
Aged over 60 years old and one or more risk factors- platelets >1500x10^9/l, previous thrombosis or thrombotic risk factors eg. diabetes or hypertension.
What are the first and second line treatments for essential thrombocytosis?
First line= hydroxycarbamide and aspirin
Second line= anagrelide and aspirin
What are myelodysplastic syndromes?
Characterised by dysplasia and ineffective haemopoiesis in greater than or equal to 1 of the myeloid series. May be secondary to previous chemo pr radiotherapy. Often associated with cytogenic abnormalities.
What is the method of inheritance of Fanconi’s anaemia?
Autosomal recessive.
What are the characteristics of Fanconi’s anaemia?
Somatic abnormalities, bone marrow failure, short telomeres, malignancy, chromosome instability.
Autologous transplant “autograft”
Uses the patients own blood stem cells.
Allogenic transplant “allograft
Any transplant in which the stem cells come from a donor.