Blood/Blood Cells and Cellular Components ›› Red Blood Cells ›› Abnormal
Burr cell RBC (Echinocyte)
›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.
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.