Morphology Monday | Case MM260302
This week’s case involves a 34 year old aid worker, who recently returned to the UK after spending two years in West Africa, with significant time spent in the rainforest regions.
MM260216: Southeast Asian Ovalocytosis
Southeast Asian ovalocytosis is a common hereditary red cell membrane disorder in parts of Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines. Unlike other forms of elliptocytosis, these cells are exceptionally rigid.
Morphology Monday | Case MM260216
This week’s case comes from a patient of Southeast Asian descent who was recently admitted for a routine surgical workup. Interestingly, despite having no significant symptoms of anaemia, their laboratory results caught the attention of the haematology team.
MM260202: “Crystals of death”
These inclusions are formally known as critical green inclusions or green neutrophilic inclusions. In clinical circles, they have earned the ominous nickname “crystals of death” due to their strong association with impending mortality.
Morphology Monday | Case MM260202
This week’s case features a patient currently in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) suffering from acute liver failure. The laboratory data and the resulting blood film provide a sobering look at the systemic impact of hepatic collapse.
MM260126: CML
This week’s case started with a “heads-up” call from the Haematology SpR before the sample even reached the lab. The staggering WBC and the specific clinical request made for an interesting discussion.
Morphology Monday | Case MM260126
This week’s case began with an urgent call from the haematology Specialist Registrar (SpR) before the sample had even reached the laboratory. A patient had been referred from another hospital and presented to the Emergency Department with a massive clinical picture.
MM260119: HDFN
Based on these findings, the diagnosis is Haemolytic Disease of the Foetus and Newborn (HDFN) caused by Rh sensitisation, following the clinical scenario where the mother did not receive anti-D prophylaxis.
Morphology Monday | Case MM260119
This week’s case comes from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. A newborn has presented with early-onset jaundice and a rapidly falling haemoglobin level.
MM260112: Post splenectomy changes
The patient is missing their spleen. In addition to the underlying HbE/β-thalassaemia, the film showed classic “post-splenectomy” features that occur when the body’s primary “quality control” filter is removed.