What is a Spherocyte?
Spherocytes are red blood cells that are sphere-shaped rather than the usual round doughnut shape. Spherocytes are more fragile than normal red cells and their presence is accompanied by anemias of varying severity.
How is hereditary spherocytosis treated?
The treatment for hereditary spherocytosis is individualized and may require transfusions, folic acid administration, full or partial splenectomy, and/or cholecystectomy. Complications of spherocytosis may include megaloblastic crisis, low folic acid levels, splenomegaly, and/or gallbladder problems.
What is Acanthocyte?
Acanthocytosis is a red cell phenotype associated with various underlying conditions. Acanthocytes (from the Greek word acantha, which means thorn), or spur cells, are spiculated red cells with a few projections of varying size and surface distribution (see the images below).
Does hemolytic anemia go away?
Some types of acquired hemolytic anemia are short-term (temporary) and go away over several months. Other types can become lifelong (chronic). They may go away and come back again over time.
Can schistocytes be normal?
A normal schistocyte count for a healthy individual is <0.5% although usual values are found to be <0.2%. A schistocyte count of >1% is most often found in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, although they are more often seen within the range of 3–10% for this condition.
What are the treatment options for acute gout?
Acute gout may be treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, or colchicine. To reduce the likelihood of recurrent flares, patients should limit their consumption of certain…
How is gout treated in patients with tophi?
Treating gout with urate-lowering medications is strongly recommended for patients who have tophi (nodules that form from a mass of uric acid crystals at joints or in soft tissues), radiographic evidence (X-ray or other imaging) of damage due to gout, or two or more gout flares per year.
When are intra-articular corticosteroid injections indicated for gout treatment?
When gout is limited to a single joint, intra-articular corticosteroid injections may be preferable to systemic corticosteroids because of their lower adverse effect profile. 23 Rebound flares are common after discontinuation of corticosteroid therapy for acute gout.
What is gouty arthritis and how is it treated?
Repeated bouts of gout can lead to gouty arthritis, a worsening form of arthritis. There is no cure for gout, but you can effectively treat and manage the condition with medication and self-management strategies.