Spur Cell Anemia Differential Diagnoses
- Author: Christopher D Braden, DO; Chief Editor: Emmanuel C Besa, MD more...
Diagnostic Considerations
Echinocytes and keratocytes should be considered in the differential diagnosis of spur cell anemia. Echinocytes or burr cells are spiculated red blood cells with uniform, narrow, spikelike surface projections. Spur cells have fewer spicules, and the spicules vary more in size than echinocytes. Keratocytes are acanthocytelike cells with bizarre shapes and horny projections.
Other causes of hemolytic anemia in severe liver disease include the following:
- Hemolytic anemia with echinocytes
- Severe hypophosphatemia
- Splenomegaly-related hemolytic anemia with spherocytosis
- Zieve syndrome
Differential Diagnoses
- Emergent Management of Anorexia Nervosa
- Hypothyroidism
- Myelodysplastic Syndrome
- Nephrotic Syndrome
- Neuroacanthocytosis Syndromes
- Pediatric Asplenia
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