Peripheral Blood Film Examination Quiz

Peripheral Blood Film Examination

• Important for anemia evaluation
• Examines RBC diameter, shape, color, and inclusions
• Verifies automated analyzer results
• Normal RBCs are 7-8 µm in diameter
• Small/microcytic cells are <6 µm
• Large/macrocytic cells are >8 µm

Description of Red Blood Cell (RBC) Abnormalities and Commonly Associated Disease States

Anisocytosis

• Abnormal variation in RBC volume or diameter
• Large (macrocytes) >8 µm, MCV >100 fL
• Small (microcytes) <6 µm, MCV <80 fL

Macrocyte

• Large RBC (>8 µm in diameter), MCV > 100 fL
• Associated with megaloblastic anemia, hemolytic anemia, iron deficiency anemia

Oval Macrocyte

• Large oval RBC
• Associated with megaloblastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes

Microcyte

• Small RBC (<6 µm in diameter), MCV < 80 fL
• Associated with iron deficiency anemia, thalassemia

Poikilocytosis

• Abnormal variation in RBC shape
• Associated with diverse conditions, including severe anemia

Spherocyte

• Small, round, dense RBC with no central pallor
• Associated with hereditary spherocytosis, immune hemolytic anemia, extensive burns

Elliptocyte/Ovalocyte

• Elliptical (cigar-shaped), oval (egg-shaped) RBC
• Associated with hereditary elliptocytosis/ovalocytosis, iron deficiency anemia, thalassemia

Stomatocyte

• RBC with a slit-like area of central pallor
• Associated with liver disease, alcoholism

Sickle Cell

• Thin, dense, elongated RBC pointed at each end, may be curved
• Associated with sickle cell anemia, sickle cell-β-thalassemia

Hb C crystal

• Hexagonal crystal of dense hemoglobin within the RBC membrane
• Associated with Hb C disease, Hb SC disease

Hb SC crystal

• Finger-like or quartz-like crystal of dense hemoglobin protruding from the RBC membrane
• Associated with Hb SC disease

Target Cell (Codocyte)

• RBC with hemoglobin concentrated in the center and around the periphery
• Associated with liver disease, hemoglobinopathies, thalassemia

Schistocyte (Schizocyte)

• Fragmented RBC caused by rupture in the peripheral circulation
• Associated with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, extensive burns

Helmet Cell (Keratocyte)

• RBC fragment in shape of a helmet
• Associated with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, severe liver disease

Folded Cell

• RBC with membrane folded over
• Associated with severe liver disease

Acanthocyte (spur cell)

• Small, dense RBC with few irregularly spaced projections of varying length
• Associated with liver disease, neuroacanthocytosis, abetalipoproteinemia

Test your knowledge on peripheral blood film examination, a crucial process in evaluating anemia. This quiz covers red blood cell abnormalities including variations in size, shape, and associated diseases. Understand the importance of blood film analysis in verifying automated analyzer results.