Elliptocyte
(Ovalocyte)
Peripheral blood smear, Wright-Giemsa stain, 500x
Description:
Oval to pencil-shaped red cell with central palor and polarization of the hemoglobin.
Pathobiology:
Due to abnormalities of the skeletal red cell membrane proteins.
Differential Diagnosis:
- Hereditary elliptocytosis (ovalocytosis)
- Iron deficiency anemia- numbers small with hypochromia (pencil cell)
- Thalassemia (numbers small)
- Dyserythropoiesis of whatever cause (numbers small)
- Megaloblastic anemias (numbers small)
- Myelopthisic anemias (numbers small)
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Charles
E.
Hess,
M.D.,FACP [more information]
Professor of Internal Medicine
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