Schistocytes - The arrows point to schistocytes which are fragmented red blood cells. Also called schizocytes, these cells result from shearing, tearing, or fragmenting. Schistocytes are one of the abnormal shapes of red cells which fall under the category of poikilocytes, a more generic term. Poikilocytosis refers to increased variation of shape. Elsewhere, in this section, other examples of poikilocytes are shown under more specific designations. In the right photo above polychromasia is also present. Schistocytes are likely to be seen in hemolytic anemias, especially microangiopathic hemolytic anemia in which there is mechanical trauma to erythrocytes attempting to pass through fibrin strands in small vessels. Patients usually also have thrombocytopenia. Clinical conditions associated with this phenomenon include disseminated intravascular coagulation, hemolytic- uremic syndromes, and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. #Clinical #Path #BloodSmear #Blood #Smear #Schistocytes
