RBC shape abnormalities

There was a good question in class today about abnormal erythrocyte shape.  The catch-all term for RBC shape abnormalities is poikilocytosis.  I mentioned that the types of "poik" that you should know for the purpose of the course are spherocytes (which usually indicate extravascular hemolysis), schistocytes (RBC fragments, also called schizocytes, which are often seen in patients with DIC or other types of "microangiopathies"), and eccentrocytes (which, like Heinz bodies, are a manifestation of oxidative damage to RBCs).  Your textbook has a nice section on poikilocytosis, summarized in Table 3.7, and some good images in Plates 5 and 6.  The poikilocytosis section of Cornell's e-ClinPath website is also a good resource.

Hope y'all have a great Labor Day weekend.  See you on Tuesday.