Blood/Blood Cells and Cellular Components ›› Red Blood Cells ›› Abnormal
Schistocyte: Fragmented RBC
›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:
›Differential Diagnoses:
Increased in:
Microangiopathic Hemolytic Anemia (e.g. as seen in DIC, TTP, or HUS)
Severe burns
Mechanical valve-induced
Uremia
Malignant hypertension
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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›Misc:
Usually associated with an intravascular hemolytic process (as opposed to spherocytes which are usually associated with an extravascular hemolytic process)