Spherocytosis Information and Courses from MediaLab, Inc.
These are the MediaLab courses that cover Spherocytosis and links to relevant pages within the course.
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| Spherocytes are associated with which two of the following conditions: | View Page |
| An increase in the osmotic fragility of erythrocytes is indicative of: | View Page |
| The condition most likely associated with the peripheral blood picture shown in the photograph is: | View Page |
| The condition most likely associated with the peripheral blood picture in the photograph is: | View Page |
| Conditions in which erythrocytes as photographed here may be present in a peripheral blood smear include: | View Page |
| A 5-year-old girl was brought to a physician's office because of fever and viral-type illness symptoms. Her blood pressure was elevated.Hemogram: hemoglobin 9.1g/dL (normal 12.0 - 16.0 g/dL), hematocrit 28% (normal 37 - 48%), MCV 80 fl (normal 86 - 98 fl), RDW 13.1% (normal 11 - 15%), platelets 90.1 X 109/L (normal 150 - 450 X 109/L) WBC 9.6x109/L (normal 4.3 - 10.8 x 109/L).The peripheral blood smear is represented in the photograph.Which of the following are the most likely associated conditions? | View Page |
| Spherocytes and reticulocytes The photograph represents peripheral blood smear findings in another patient with hereditary spherocytosis. The red cells vary in size (anisocytosis)with a mixture of microcytes (red cells with central pallor) and microspherocytes (red cells with central staining). Macrocytes are conspicuous, some staining light blue. They are immature erythrocytes (reticulocytes)released from the bone marrow early. The bone marrow, geared up for rapid cell release in response to severe hemolysis, expels young red blood cells into the circulation before completing their 24 hour maturation cycle. Hemolysis, jaundice, and gall stone formation disappear following splenectomy. Gallbladder and stone removal eliminate the right upper quadrant pain. A serious consideration, especially in children with hereditary spherocytosis, is hemolytic crisis. A viral infection may allow red blood cell destruction to continue unabated. Anemia of such sudden onset and severity may become catastrophic, with death as the outcome. Splenectomy removes this possibility. | View Page |
| Considering the predominance of microspherocytes on the blood smear, and the patient's jaundiced condition, what is the most likely diagnosis? | View Page |
| The photograph is representative of the peripheral blood smear of a five-month-old immigrant from Asia. Her mother was concerned that the child was not eating well. Her spleen was palpable.The hemogram revealed the following:Hb 9.6g/dL (normal 12.0 - 16.0 g/dL)RBC 5.48 X 1012/L (normal 4.2 - 5.9 X 1012/LHCT 30.4% (normal 37 - 48%)MCV 55.4 fl (normal 86 - 98 fl)MCH 17.5 pg (normal 27 - 32 pg)MCHC 31.6 g/dL (normal 31 - 37 g/dL)RDW 34.9% (normal 11 - 15%)Reticulocyte count 10.9% (normal 0.5 - 1.5%)Select the most likely diagnosis based on the clinical information and peripheral blood findings. | View Page |
| A blood smear represented by the photograph was submitted for hematologic review. Based on the erythrocyte morphology and the accompanying histogram, which of the following choices is the most likely situation or condition? | View Page |
| Stomatocytes Stomatocytes are erythrocytes with a slit-like central pallor. Otherwise, they resemble typical RBC's in size and shape. Unless 10% or more of the RBC's are stomatocytes, their presence is probably artifactual. Stomatocytes form at a low blood acidic pH as seen in exposure to cationic detergents, and in patients receiving phenolthiazine. Hereditary stomatocytosis has some resemblance to hereditary spherocytosis, as stomatocytes may develop into spherocytes with further metamorphosis. In hereditary stomatocytosis, mild anemia and findings of on-going hemolysis should be evident if the condition presents as a clinical problem at all. | View Page |
| Conditions Associated with Sherocytes Examples of conditions in which spherocytes can be seen include hereditary spherocytosis and immune hemolytic anemias (i.e., ABO incompatibility). Spherocytes can also form in conditions where there has been a direct physical or chemical injury to the cells, such as heat. An example would be a smear from an individual who has suffered severe burns. In each of the above conditions, tiny bits of membrane are removed from the adult red cells, leaving the cell with a decreased surface/volume ratio. In hereditary spherocytosis where spherocytes are numerous, the MCHC value will be at the upper limits of normal, or about 36. The identification of spherocytes on the smear of a patient with hereditary spherocytosis can aid significantly in the diagnosis of the disorder. In vitro conditions which will cause spherocytes include prolonged storage, i.e. stored bank blood. | View Page |