I put together these medical challenges. The cases are hypothetical and do not necessarily represent actual or typical presentations of medical diseases. Disclaimer is at the bottom of this page.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Multiple Choice
This is not an artifact.
Challenge: Of the following, which organ system should you investigate - heart, lungs, kidney, or spleen?
The peripheral blood smear shows echinocytes or burr cells. The projections are small and regular in shape and distribution. Although echinocytes are often artifacts on blood smears, they have been demonstrated in end-stage renal disease and in liver disease.
This is not an artifact.
burr cells uremia? kidney
ReplyDeleteKidney
ReplyDeleteEchinocyte/Burr cell
Multiple Choice
ReplyDeleteThe peripheral blood smear shows echinocytes or burr cells. The projections are small and regular in shape and distribution. Although echinocytes are often artifacts on blood smears, they have been demonstrated in end-stage renal disease and in liver disease.
Sources: UpToDate; www.som.tulane.edu.