Sickle Cell Disease

Overview Sickle cell disease is a hereditary, autosomal recessive disease caused by a point mutation of the beta-globin gene resulting in the absence of HbA and the production of HbS. Hbs has a preponderance to “sickling” (esp. during hypoxia, dehydration,…

Schistocytes and helmet cells

Haemolytic Anaemia

Overview Hemolytic anemia is simply anemia due to the destruction of red blood cells. The destruction of red blood cells happens at an accelerated pace, beyond the capacity of the bone marrow to compensate. Usually, a normocytic anemia is present…

Macro-ovalocytes

Macrocytic Anaemia

Overview Macrocytic anemia is characterized by Low Hb and High MCV (> 100). B12 and folate are required for the maturation of RBCs. Immature RBCs are larger, hence the increase in MCV in B12/Folate deficiency. A false normal MCV can…

Basophilic stippling

Microcytic Anaemia

Overview Microcytic anemia is characterized by low hemoglobin and low mean corpuscular volume. It is very important to confirm the cause of anemia, starting with a peripheral blood smear and an Iron panel. Patients with severe or symptomatic anemia (Hb…

Conjunctival pallor

Anaemia

Anaemia is defined as a decrease in red cell mass as evidenced by low haemoglobin concentration in blood below the reference range for a given age or sex in a given population or geographic location. WHO gives the reference value…

Peripheral blood smear

Introduction to Haematology and Blood Transfusion

Centrifugation Serum Plasma Definition Liquid that remains after blood has clotted Liquid that remains when clotting is prevented Preparation Centrifuge clotted blood Centrifuge whole blood with anticoagulant Fibrinogen Absent Present Complete Blood Count Peripheral blood film A PBF is a…

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Pelvic inflammatory disease is a subacute to chronic infectious disease that affects the upper female reproductive tract (cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries) and/or peritoneum. The most common causative organisms are C. trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, but most cases can be polymicrobial (involving…

Ultrasound showing a polycystic ovary - chain of pearls appearance

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

PCOS is a genetic, hormonal, metabolic, *and *reproductive disorder. It is the most common endocrine disorder of women in reproductive age. Etiology is unknown but there is a genetic component. Endocrine/hormonal disturbances lead to a constellation of sx. Sx vary…

Simple ovarian cyst on ultrasound

Ovarian Masses

Overview Benign mass Malignant mass Size < 8cm > 8cm Consistency Cystic Solid or mixed Solid component None Nodular, Papilary Sepatations None or single Multilocular, thick Doppler Negative Positive Laterality Unilateral Bilateral (50% of tumors) Associated Fx Calcification Ascites, Peritoneal…

Uterine Fibroids

Fibroids are benign smooth muscle neoplasms arising from myometrial cells. Usually clinically insignificant but VERY common (it is the most common benign tumour in women). Average growth is 0.5 cm Fibroids are estrogen and progesterone-sensitive (similar to endometriosis and adenomyosis).…