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Blood smear

Definition

A blood smear is a blood test that gives information about the number and shape of blood cells.

Alternative Names

Peripheral smear

How the test is performed

Blood is drawn from a vein, usually on the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic. An elastic band is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and restrict blood flow through the vein. This causes veins below the band to swell with blood.

A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an airtight vial or a syringe. During the procedure, the band is removed to restore normal blood flow. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed. The puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.

For an infant or young child, the area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a small glass tube (pipette), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. Cotton or a bandage may be applied to the puncture site if bleeding continues.

A technologist, blood specialist (hematologist), or disease specialist (pathologist) looks at the blood under a microscope. Or, the blood may be examined by an automated "calculator." The smear shows the number and kinds of white blood cells (differential), abnormally shaped blood cells, and gives a rough estimate of white cell and platelet counts.

How to prepare for the test

No special preparation is necessary.

How the test will feel

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

Why the test is performed

This test may be performed as part of a general health exam, to help diagnose many illnesses. Or it may be done when the health care provider suspects an abnormality of any type of blood cell.

Normal Values

  • Normal differential
  • Normal appearance of cells

What abnormal results mean

Red cell abnormalities such as size, shape, lack of color (hypochromia), many colors (polychromatophilia), and coating by blood proteins called serum globulins (rouleaux) are determined. Some abnormalities may be graded on a 4-point scale:

  • 1+: 25% of cells affected
  • 2+: 50% of cells affected
  • 3+: 75% of cells affected
  • 4+: 100% of cells affected

The presence of target cells may indicate:

The presence of spherocytes may indicate:

The presence of elliptocytes may indicate hereditary elliptocytosis.

The presence of schistocytes may indicate:

The presence of normoblasts may indicate: The presence of burr cells (echinocytes) may indicate:
  • Artifact (induced result) from specimen preparation
  • Uremia
The presence of spur cells (acanthocytes) may indicate: The presence of teardrop cells may indicate:
  • Myelofibrosis
  • Leukoerythroblastic anemia
  • Thalassemia major
  • Severe iron deficiency
The presence of Howell-Jolly bodies may indicate: The presence of Heinz bodies (with crystal violet stain) may indicate:
  • G6PD deficiency
  • Congenital hemolytic anemia
  • Unstable form of hemoglobin (unstable hemoglobin variant)
  • Alpha thalassemia

The presence of reticulocytes (more than 2% of total red cells; seen with special stain) may indicate hemolytic anemia or hemorrhage.

The presence of basophilic stippling may indicate:

The presence of sickle cells may indicate sickle cell anemia.

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

What the risks are

The risks associated with having blood drawn are minimal:

  • Excessive bleeding
  • Fainting or feeling light-headed
  • Blood collecting under the skin (hematoma)
  • Infection
  • Many needle sticks to find veins

Special considerations

The accuracy of this test depends, in part, on the experience of the person looking at the sample. Experienced cell examiners can get a lot of information from the blood smear.

References

Dhaliwal G, Cornett PA, Tierney LM. Hemolytic anemia. Am Fam Physician. June 2004;69:2599-2566.

Kaplan RN, Bussel JB. Differential diagnosis and management of thrombocytopenia in childhood. Pediatr Clin North Am. August 2004;51:1109-1140.

Review Date:3/22/2007
Reviewed By:Carl T. Henningson, Jr. M.D., Private Practice specializing in Hematology and Oncology, Manasquan, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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