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Schistocytes - triangulocytes and helmet cells

Schistocytes - triangulocytes and helmet cells
#00060307
Author: Teresa Scordino
Category: Morphologic variants of normal cells > Morphologic variants of Red Blood Cells/precursors > Normal Red blood cell morphology with resting lymphocyte for comparison > Poikilocytosis > Schistocytes  (Helmet, keratocyte)
Published Date: 01/13/2016


•Red cell fragments (schistocytes) in a patient with microangiopathic hemolysis due to thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).  Small triangulocytes and larger, crescent-shaped helmet cells are present.  Both of these are red cell fragments and would be included in the schistocyte count.  When  numerous small schistocytes are present, automated cell counters may count the small red cell fragments as platelets, leading to a falsely elevated automated platelet count.