Pathologic RBC Forms

Question 1

Acanthocytes?

Answer 1

Liver disease, abetalipoproteinemia, chronic renal failure

Question 2

Basophilic stippling?

Answer 2

Thalassemias, Anemia of chronic dz, Lead poisoning (Baste the ox TAiL)

Question 3

Bite cell?

Answer 3

G6PD deficiency

Question 4

Elliptocyte?

Answer 4

Hereditary elliptocytosis

Question 5

Macro-ovalocyte?

Answer 5

Megaloblastic anemia, marrow failure

Question 6

Ringed sideroblasts?

Answer 6

Sideroblastic anemia (excess Fe in mitochondria)

Question 7

Schistocyte, helmet cell?

Answer 7

DIC, TTP/HUS, traumatic hemolysis (i.e. metal heart valve prosthesis)

Question 8

Sickle cell?

Answer 8

Sickle cell anemia

Question 9

Spherocyte?

Answer 9

Hereditary sphercytosis, autoimmune hemolysis

Question 10

Teardrop cell?

Answer 10

Bone marrow infiltration (e.g. myelofibrosis)

Question 11

Target cell?

Answer 11

HbC dz, Asplenia, Liver dz, Thalassemia (HALT)

Question 12

Heinz bodies?

Answer 12

G6PD deficiency, a-thalassemia

Question 13

Howell-Jolly bodies?

Answer 13

Hyposplenia or asplenia, or after mothball ingestion (naphthalene)