Peripheral Blood films Flashcards
What are ‘Acanthocytes’
Also known as spike or spur cells
RBCs with many spicules
In which conditions are acanthocytes seen?
LIVER DISEASE
hyposplenism
rare: alpha-betalipoproteinemiaa
What is ‘basophilic RBC stippling’
Accelerated erythropoiesis or defective Hb synthesis, small dots at the periphery are seen = these are rRNA
In which conditions is basophilic RBC stippling seen?
** Lead poisoning
pyrimidine 5’ nucleotidase **
megaloblastic anaemia
myelodysplasia
What are Burr cells?
Like a sea urchin with regular spicules
When are Burr cells seen?
Often an artefact if blood has sat in EDTA prior to film being made
What are Heinz bodies?
Inclusions on very edge of RBCs due to denatured Hb
When are heinz bodies seen?
Glucose 6 phosphate deficiency
What are howell Jolly bodies?
Basophilic nuclear remnants in RBCs
When are howell jolly bodies seen?
Post splenectomy or hyposplenism
e.g. sickle cell disease
What is leucoerythroblastic?
A phrase to denote the presence of nucleated red blood cells and myeloid precursors in peripheral blood
When is leucoerythroblastic state seen?
Bone marrow infiltration e.g. myelofibrosis or malignancy
What is Pelger huet cells?
Hyposegmented neutrophil with 2 lobes like a dumbell
When are pelger huet cells seen?
Myelodysplastic syndromes
What is polychromasia?
Bluish red blood cells due to presence of DNA.
usually immature reticulocytes
When is polychromasia seen?
Usually increased naturally in response to shortened RBC life
Also in haemolytic anaemias
What is right shift?
Hypermature white cells with hypersegmented polymorphs
= 5 + lobes
When is right shift / hypersegmented wbc seen
Megaloblastic anaemia
(pernicious anaemia)
What is rouleax formation?
Red cells stacked on eachother
When is rouleaux formation seen?
Multiple myeloma
What are shistocytes?
Fragmented RBC parts, irregular shapes with sharp edges
When are schistocytes seen?
Microangiopathic anaemia:
DIC , haemolytic uraemia syndrome, TTP, Pre-eclampsia
What are spherocyteS?
Sphere shaped RBC, often a bit smaller
When are spherocytes seen?
Hereditary spherocytosis
Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
What are stomatocytes?
Central pallor is straight, curved or rod like shape
RBC can look like smiley, or fish mouth
When are stomatocytes seen?
Can be artefact
or
hereditary stomatocytosis
high alcohol intake
What are target cells?
Also known as codocyte
Bulls eye apperance in central pallor
when are target cells seen?
Liver disease
hyposplenism
thalassaemia
What are bite cells and hemighosts seen in?
G6PD deficiency
