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: 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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RBC
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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.



Content Editors/Website Administrators:
Hooman H. Rashidi, MD; John C. Nguyen, MD