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

Schistocyte: Fragmented RBC*


Click Here for Full Size

---

Additional Image 1 Additional Image 2

› Microscopic Features:

• Usually smaller than a normal RBC
• Different RBC fragment variants (helmet cell, irregular fragments, etc.)
• Usually lacks a central pallor

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

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

› May Resemble:

• Bite cell [Compare]
• Sickle cell [Compare]
• Spur cell [Compare]
• Normal Mature RBC [Compare]

› Differential Diagnoses:

Increased in: Microangiopathic Hemolytic Anemia (e.g. as seen in DIC, TTP, or HUS) Severe burns Mechanical valve-induced Uremia Malignant hypertension

› Classic Immunophenotype:

• N/A

› Cartoon Image:


Click and drag

for direct comparison
› Misc:

• Usually associated with an intravascular hemolytic process (as opposed to spherocytes which are usually associated with an extravascular hemolytic process)