True Stomatocytes vs. Imperfect Drying

The image on the left is from a case of hereditary stomatocytosis. The  image on the right was taken from the March 2001 Cytohematology Proficiency Test Event - Slide 039. Fifty-four laboratories noted the presence of stomatocytes. Stomatocytes are red blood cells with a slit-like or rectangular area of central pallor, sometimes referred to as a "mouth". These cells have lost the indentation on one side and may be found in liver disease, electrolyte imbalance, cardiovascular disease and hereditary stomatocytosis. The appearance of this slide may be due to less than perfect drying.  Back to Slide 039