Peripheral smear call thread #3: Lymphocytosis #hemepath @pathelective First question when approaching a smear with lymphocytosis: is it reactive or neoplastic? Patient history can provide some clues (younger patient, symptoms of infection may favor reactive).

Peripheral smear call thread #2: Hemolysis #hemepath 2/If the bone marrow is responding appropriately to hemolysis, there should be a reticulocyte response (& increased polychromasia on the smear). Lab abnormalities associated with hemolysis include increased LDH, increased unconjugated bili, and decreased haptoglobin.

1/For the path residents taking CP call for the first time this month, I thought I’d post a short series on things to look out for when you get called to look at a blood smear. First up: pancytopenia. #hemepath 2/It’s not always possible to determine the cause of pancytopenia based on blood smear morphology alone. However, here is a (not comprehensive) list of clues you don’t want to miss: