MICA

Cytology

Observe the images and explore this collection’s sheets.

← Cytology, histology & pathology

11 sheets

Cytology

Auer rods · cytology

Elongated cytoplasmic inclusions in myeloid cells; some presentations require urgent assessment.

Location: Cytoplasm
Appearance: Elongated azurophilic inclusion
Direction: Myeloid differentiation
Warning: Suspected promyelocytic leukaemia

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Pleural-fluid cells identified by the source as mesothelioma. Source attribution retained; descriptive MICA reading.

Cytology

Pleural cytology: cellular clusters

Pleural-fluid cells identified by the source as mesothelioma.

Technique: Cytology
Observation: Cellular clusters show visible nuclei.
Limitation: An isolated cluster cannot establish mesothelioma.

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Blood film: two erythrocyte fragments indicated by blue arrows in the original figure.

Cytology

Schistocytes · blood film

Erythrocyte fragments identified and quantified on an appropriate film; haemolytic context is essential.

Cell: Erythrocyte fragment
Shapes: Helmet, triangle, angular fragment
Method: Standardised counting
Direction: Mechanical or microangiopathic haemolysis

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Red cells with a stained centre, a pale ring and a stained peripheral rim.

Cytology

Target cells · peripheral blood film

Recognise a target red cell without inferring a specific haemoglobinopathy.

Cell: Red blood cell
Appearance: Concentric target
Direction: Liver disease or haemoglobinopathy
Limit: Nonspecific finding

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Cytology

Malaria · thick and thin films

Blood parasites examined microscopically; thick and thin films serve complementary roles.

Thick film: Sensitive detection
Thin film: Morphology and species
Quantification: Document parasitaemia
Limitation: Single image insufficient

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Dense round red cells without obvious central pallor are mixed with cells retaining central pallor. The source reports anaemia with a negative direct antiglobulin test.

Cytology

Spherocytes: loss of central pallor

Describe dense round red cells, then distinguish mechanisms of haemolysis.

Sign: Loss of central pallor
Confirm: Laboratory evidence of haemolysis
Direction: Context and direct antiglobulin test
Limitation: No stand-alone aetiological diagnosis

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Cytology

Lymphocyte population · blood film

Lymphocyte population characterised morphologically, complemented by absolute count and immunophenotype.

Cells: Lymphocytes
Assessment: Size, chromatin, cytoplasm
Count: Confirm absolute value
Clonality: Not established by a photograph

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Cytology

Sickle cells · blood film

Elongated pointed erythrocytes suggesting an HbS haemoglobinopathy.

Cell: Erythrocyte
Shape: Elongated, sickle-shaped
Mechanism: HbS polymerisation
Confirmation: Haemoglobin analysis

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Two neutrophils with markedly segmented nuclei among red cells. The source describes chemotherapy and pancytopenia, not proven vitamin deficiency.

Cytology

Hypersegmented neutrophils: blood film

Recognise hypersegmentation without automatically attributing it to deficiency.

Sign: Nuclear hypersegmentation
Document: Authentic blood film
Correlate with: CBC, vitamins, medication
Pitfall: Non-specific finding

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Cholesterol crystals in pleural fluid. Authentic document with original caption context retained.

Cytology

Cholesterol crystals: pleural fluid

Cholesterol crystals in pleural fluid.

Observation: Crystalline structures have sharply defined edges.
Limitation: Avoid confusing chylothorax with cholesterol-rich effusion.

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Micrograph with a red compensator, identified by the author as urate crystals: yellow and blue needles among cells. The compensator axis is not shown.

Cytology

Urate crystals: polarised light

Observe needle-shaped crystals and understand the limits of a still field.

Shape: Needles
Technique: Compensated polarised light
Reading: Check orientation
Pitfall: Crystals do not exclude infection

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