What is the shape of helmet cells?
Helmet cells Schistocytes can assume a shape resembling natural or man-made objects such as arrowheads, fish, collar buttons, etc. In this case, arrows point to helmet cells. Also seen in the left photo are a teardrop cell, 2 blister cells, a spur cell (acanthocyte), and 2 burr cells (echinocytes).
What type of cells are arrowheads?
Schistocytes can assume a shape resembling natural or man-made objects such as arrowheads, fish, collar buttons, etc. In this case, arrows point to helmet cells. Also seen in the left photo are a teardrop cell, 2 blister cells, a spur cell (acanthocyte), and 2 burr cells (echinocytes).
Are red cell fragments included in the platelet count?
Both of these are red cell fragments and would be included in the schistocyte count. When numerous small schistocytes are present, automated cell counters may count the small red cell fragments as platelets, leading to a falsely elevated automated platelet count.
What do helmet cells indicate?
Some of the irregular shapes appear as "helmet" cells. Such fragmented RBC's are known as "schistocytes" and they are indicative of a microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA) or other cause for intravascular hemolysis. This finding is typical for disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC).
Is a helmet cell the same as bite cell?
The degmacyte look similar to a "bitten apple", which is their defining feature. However, bite cells may be difficult to distinguish from helmet cells, a fragmented red blood cell, due to the similarity in shape.
Where can helmet cells be found?
Helmet cellsCase of the Month.Bone & Soft Tissue.Breast.Cardiovascular.Dermatopathology.Endocrine.Gastrointestinal Tract and Pancreas.Genitourinary and Renal.More items...
What are blister cells?
Red blood cells originally containing inclusions are “pitted” or removed by macrophages in the spleen, resulting in bite or blister cells. 3. When the red blood cell is impaled by fibrin strands, the membrane can reform and produce a vacuole which results in a blister cell.
What anemia has bite cells?
Heinz Body Hemolytic Anemia "Bite Cells"—A Clue to Diagnosis.
What disease is associated with bite cells?
purpose: “Bite cell” hemolytic anemia is a variant of drug-related hemolysis usually associated with methemoglobinemia and Heinz body inclusions in red blood cells secondary to oxidant drug injury.
What is a Heinz body?
Heinz bodies are indicative of oxidative injury to the erythrocyte. They are clumps of irreversibly denatured hemoglobin attached to the erythrocyte cell membrane.
What is teardrop cells?
Teardrop cells (dacrocytes) are frequently associated with infiltration of the bone marrow by fibrosis, granulomatous inflammation, or hematopoietic or metastatic neoplasms. They can also be seen in patients with splenic abnormalities, vitamin B12 deficiency, and some other forms of anemia.
What causes Heinz bodies?
Heinz bodies are structures that are formed from the breakdown of hemoglobin in red blood cells. They occur due to oxidative damage from toxins, medications, or as a result of underlying G6PD deficiency or thalassemia. Heinz bodies can cause red blood cells to break down, a condition described as Heinz body anemia.
When do you see bite cells?
Bite cells (lower photograph) appear when an abnormal hemoglobin aggregate (Heinz body) is nibbled out of a red cell's cytoplasm by the spleen leaving a bitten apple appearance.
What is pencil cells in blood?
Cigar cells (also referred to as pencil cells) are red blood cells that are cigar- or pencil-shaped on peripheral blood smear. Cigar cells are commonly associated with hereditary elliptocytosis.
When do you see Howell-Jolly bodies?
Howell-Jolly bodies are remnants of RBC nuclei that are normally removed by the spleen. Thus, they are seen in patients who have undergone splenectomy (as in this case) or who have functional asplenia (eg, from sickle cell disease). Target cells (arrows) are another consequence of splenectomy. RBC: red blood cell.
What are bite cells?
Bite cells, or “degmacytes”, are erythrocytes with an irregular membrane which result from splenic macrophage-mediated removal of denatured hemoglobin molecules. Bite cells are commonly identified in glucose-6-phostphate dehydrogenase deficiency.
What is an Ovalocyte?
Ovalocytes are red blood cells that have an oval shape rather than the usual round doughnut shape. Ovalocytes are more fragile than normal red blood cells. About 1% of ovalocytes are found in a normal complete blood count.
What is teardrop cells?
Teardrop cells (dacrocytes) are frequently associated with infiltration of the bone marrow by fibrosis, granulomatous inflammation, or hematopoietic or metastatic neoplasms. They can also be seen in patients with splenic abnormalities, vitamin B12 deficiency, and some other forms of anemia.
What is pencil cells in blood?
Cigar cells (also referred to as pencil cells) are red blood cells that are cigar- or pencil-shaped on peripheral blood smear. Cigar cells are commonly associated with hereditary elliptocytosis.