Mishal Shanover 1 year ago

RBC morphologies

The peripheral blood smear can provide important diagnostic cues. It allows us to visualize the shape of RBCs and is particularly important in the investigation of anemia. Microcytosis is associated with iron deficiency and thalassemias while sickle cells are characteristic of sickle cell disease. Similarly, spherocytes may be seen in hereditary spherocytosis or hemolytic anemias. Tear drop cells signify myelofibrosis and target cells are seen in a number of pathological states such as liver disease, thalassemia, and asplenia.