What does it mean when burr cells are present?

The presence of cells called burr cells may indicate: Abnormally high level of nitrogen waste products in the blood (uremia)

Where are burr cells found?

Burr cells are commonly found in both end-stage renal disease and liver disease. In our study, Burr cells were found in 80% of healthy individuals although the numbers of cells are very small.

What causes burr cells?

Crenated erythrocytes are most commonly caused by excess EDTA (underfilled collection tube), but may also be caused by (a) slow drying, (b) drying in a humid environment, or (c) an alkaline pH from glass slides. When crenation is an artifact, most cells on the slide will exhibit this characteristic.

What does 2+ burr cells mean?

What Abnormal Results Mean. Abnormal results mean the size, shape, color, or coating of the RBCs is not normal. Some abnormalities may be graded on a 4-point scale: 1+ means one quarter of cells are affected. 2+ means one half of cells are affected.

What do burr cells look like?

Echinocytes (also called burr cells) have serrated edges over the entire surface of the cell and often appear crenated in a blood smear (picture 3). Although often confused with acanthocytes, the projections of the red cell membrane are smaller and much more uniform in shape and distribution in echinocytes.

How are echinocytes formed?

When observed in stained blood films, echinocytosis is usually an artifact that results from excess EDTA, improper smear preparation, or prolonged sample storage before blood film preparation. Echinocytes form when the surface area of the outer lipid monolayer increases relative to the inner monolayer.

Why do you see basophilic stippling in thalassemia?

The presence of basophilic stippling is attributed to aggregates of ribosomes or fragments of ribosomal RNA precipitated throughout the cytoplasm of circulating erythrocytes. This finding is associated with acquired and heritable hematologic disorders affecting erythropoiesis and erythrocyte maturation.

When is basophilic stippling seen?

Basophilic stippling is seen in lead poisoning, impaired Hb synthesis, alcoholism, and megaloblastic anemias (Figure 61.6A).

Are echinocytes normal?

Echinocytes are abnormally shaped red blood cells. They are crenated (notched) and resemble a hedgehog or sea urchin rather than the pale-centered biconcave disks that are characteristic of normal red blood cells.

Are echinocytes and burr cells the same?