Peripheral blood smear: Difference between revisions

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Mikael Häggström (talk | contribs)
Mikael Häggström (talk | contribs)
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===Morphologic findings===
===Morphologic findings===
Look for poikilocytosis (red blood cells of abnormal shapes):
Look for poikilocytosis (red blood cells of abnormal shapes). These are counted as a percentage of visible red blood cells:<ref name=HongKong/>
[[File:Micrograph of an echinocyte on a peripheral blood smear.jpg|thumb|210px|'''Echinocytes''' ("burr cells"), are distinguished from acanthocytes by having more equally distributed and rounded projections. They are usually [[Artifacts|artifactual]], not needing reporting. However, they may also be caused by renal insufficiency, so if this is present, a report may include "Occasional/Multiple echinocytes, consistent with renal insufficiency".]]
<gallery mode=packed heights=150>
File:Human blood film with acanthocytes 02.jpg|'''Acanthocytes''' ("spur cells")
</gallery>
These are counted as a percentage of visible red blood cells:<ref name=HongKong/>
{|class=wikitable
{|class=wikitable
|-
|-
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! Burr cells (echinocytes)
! Burr cells (echinocytes)
| [[File:Micrograph of an echinocyte on a peripheral blood smear.jpg|90px]]
| [[File:Micrograph of an echinocyte on a peripheral blood smear.jpg|90px]]
|1 - 3%||3 - 10%||>10%
|1 - 3% || 3 - 10%|| >10%
|-
|-
! Sickle cells (drepanocytes)
! Sickle cells (drepanocytes)
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|-
|-
|}
|}
;Burr cells versus spur cells
<gallery mode=packed heights=150>
File:Micrograph of an echinocyte on a peripheral blood smear.jpg|'''Burr cell''' (echinocyte)
File:Human blood film with acanthocytes 02.jpg|'''Spur cell''' (acanthocyte)
</gallery>
Burr cells are distinguished from spur cells by having more equally distributed and rounded projections. They are usually [[Artifacts|artifactual]]. However, they may also be caused by renal insufficiency, so if this is present, a report may include "Occasional/Multiple echinocytes, consistent with renal insufficiency".


;Intraerythrocytic findings
<gallery mode=packed heights=150>
<gallery mode=packed heights=150>
File:Micrograph of a red blood cells with an overlying platelet on a peripheral blood smear.jpg|When seeing what appears to a platelet overlying a red blood cells (as pictured), confirm that there is a halo.
File:Micrograph of a red blood cells with an overlying platelet on a peripheral blood smear.jpg|When seeing what appears to a platelet overlying a red blood cells (as pictured), confirm that there is a halo.