Peripheral blood film from a patient with myelofibrosis, showing dacrocytes (teardrop cells).
Dacrocytes or teardrop cells as they are also referred to are abnormal red cells characterised by their distinctive 'teardrop' / 'pear' shape. They are rounded at one end and taper off at the other. They are seen in a range of different conditions:
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Myelofibrosis (bone marrow fibrosis).
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Severe dyserythropoiesis.
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Haemolytic anaemia.
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Thalassaemia major.
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Image from personal photography.