Hematology Equations and Terms

Question 1

Spherocytes are seen when? And what do they look like?

Answer 1

Dense spherical RBCs. Seen most commonly with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia.

Question 2

Schistocytes are seen when? And what do they look like?

Answer 2

Irregular RBC (torn) fragments. Seen with DIC, specialized types of hemolytic anemias, vascular neoplasia (HSA), glomerulonephritis, or myelofibrosis.

Question 3

Echinocytes are also called?

Answer 3

Crenated cells or Burr cells.

Question 4

Echinocytes are seen when? And what do they look like?

Answer 4

Several, small evenly spaced projections. Seen as artifact of slide or with uremia or electrolyte imbalances.

Question 5

Acanthocytes are also called?

Answer 5

Spur cells.

Question 6

Acanthocytes are seen when? And what do they look like?

Answer 6

Large, unevenly spaced projections. Seen with hemangiosarcoma or liver disease.

Question 7

Keratocytes are also called?

Answer 7

Blister cells or helmet cells.

Question 8

Keratocytes are seen when? And what do they look like?

Answer 8

Large fluid filled accumulations in RBCs, or this can “pop” leaving a U shaped RBC. Seen with DIC, specialized hemolytic anemias, or portosystemic shunts.

Question 9

Codocytes are also called?

Answer 9

Target cells.

Question 10

Codocytes are seen when? And what do they look like?

Answer 10

Look like a witch hat from the side or a target from the top. Seen with liver disease or during regenerative anemia.

Question 11

Dacrocytes are seen when? And what do they look like?

Answer 11

Tear shaped cells. Seen with myelofibrosis, and myeloproliferative diseases (like pure red cell aplasia).

Question 12

Stomatocytes are seen when? And what do they look like?

Answer 12

Have a large clear opening near the center of the cell (looks irregular in comparison to normal central pallor). Can be artifactual, but seen in with some congenital diseases or with chronic anemia.

Question 13

How do you tell acute from chronic bleeding?

Answer 13

Acute: More severe signs, with large changes or repeat bloodworks.
Chronic: Less severe signs, with small or non-existent changes on repeat bloodworks.

Question 14

What are some common causes of chronic blood loss?

Answer 14

Trauma, hookworms, intraerythrocytic parasites, rodenticides or other problems with hemostasis, ulcers, neoplasms.

Question 15

What are the common signs of extravascular coagulation?

Answer 15

Icterus (bilirubinemia) and bilirubinuria.

Question 16

What are the common signs of intravascular coagulation?

Answer 16

Icterus (bilirubemia), bilirubinuria, hemoglobinuria, and hemoglobinemia.

Question 17

What are the categories of causes of hemolysis?

Answer 17

Immune mediated, toxic, RBC parasites, Mechanical, Congenital, Oxidant Injury (see Heinz bodies, often also toxic), and Hypophosphatemia.

Question 18

What are the four common laboratory categories of non regenerative anemia?

Answer 18

Normocytic, normochromic with normal or increased platelets/neutrophils
Normocytic, normochromic with decreased platelets/neutrophils
Microcytic, normo/hypochromic with variable platelets/neutrophils
Macrocytic, normochromic with variable platelets/neutrophils

Question 19

What are the diff dx for normocytic, normochromic non-regenerative anemia with normal or increased neutrophils and platelets?

Answer 19

• Lack of EPO (kidney disease)
• If anemia is mild, anemia of inflammation
• Endocrine pathology
• FeLV
• Immune mediated disease (pure red cell aplasia)
• Neoplasia

Question 20

What are the diff dx for normocytic, normochromic non-regenerative anemia with decreased neutrophils and platelets?

Answer 20

This is also called pancytopenia (which endotoxemia can mimic)

• Aplastic anemia (persistent infections, drugs, toxins, irradiation, or idiopathic)
• Myelophthisic effect (bone marrow replaced by cancer cells or fibrosis after neoplastic cell damage)

Question 21

What are the diff dx for microcytic, hypo or normochromic non-regenerative anemia with variable neutrophils and platelets?

Answer 21

• Iron deficiency
• Anemia of chronic inflammation
• Portosystemic shuns
• B6 deficiency or copper deficiency

Question 22

What are the diff dx for microcytic, normochromic anemia with variable neutrophils and platelets?

Answer 22

• B12 or folic acid deficiency
• FeLV
• Congenital dyserythropoiesis in Hereford cattle
• Erythroid neoplasia
• Chronically hyperosmotic blood

Question 23

Physiologic leukogram

Answer 23

Increased segs and lymphs, other values normal.

Question 24

Corticosteroid leukogram

Answer 24

Normal or increased bands, increased segs and monos, decreased lymphs and eos, normal basos.

Question 25

Inflammatory leukogram

Answer 25

Increased bands, segs, monos, variable lymphs, normal basos.

Question 26

Endotoxemia leukogram

Answer 26

Variable bands, decreased everything else with possible normal monos/eos/basos.

Question 27

Corticosteroids and inflammation leukogram

Answer 27

Increased bands, segs, and monos, decreased or normal lymphs and normal basos.

Question 28

What does lymphoma appear as on a CBC? (early stage lymphoma)

Answer 28

Mild non-regenerative anemia.