Blood/Blood Cells and Cellular Components ›› Red Blood Cells ›› Abnormal

Burr cell RBC (Echinocyte)*


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› Microscopic Features:

• May be smaller or the size as a normal RBC
• Regular broader-base short blunt projections of red cell membrane

› Normal % blood-PB, marrow-BM, lymphoid tissue-LN:

• PB: Rare to None
• BM: Rare to None
• LN: Rare to None

› May Resemble:

• Spur cell [Compare]
• Schistocyte [Compare]
• Spherocyte [Compare]
• Normal Mature RBC [Compare]

› Differential Diagnoses:

Increased in: Artifact (e.g. older blood specimen) Uremia (e.g. chronic renal disease) Liver disease Hyperlipidemia Etc.

› Classic Immunophenotype:

• N/A

› Cartoon Image:


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› Misc:

• Most often they are due to an artifact of smear preparation. Also one must inquire about the age of the blood sample.