HematologyOutlines - Atlas
Blood/Blood Cells and Cellular Components ›› Red Blood Cells ›› Abnormal

Schistocyte: Fragmented RBC*


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› 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
  • Sickle cell
  • Spur cell
  • Normal Mature RBC
› 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:



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