Elliptocyte

blood film in a patient with hereditary elliptocytosis: approximately 60% to 70% of the RBCs are elliptocytes.

Elliptocytes, also known as ovalocytes, are abnormally shaped red blood cells that appear oval or elongated, from slightly egg-shaped to rod or pencil forms. They have normal central pallor with the hemoglobin appearing concentrated at the ends of the elongated cells when viewed through a light microscope. The ends of the cells are blunt and not sharp like sickle cells.

Causes

Rare elliptocytes (less than 1%) on a peripheral blood smear are a normal finding.

These abnormal red blood cells are seen in higher numbers in the blood films of patients with blood disorders such as:

• Hereditary elliptocytosis and Southeast Asian ovalocytosis
• Thalassemia
• Iron deficiency
• Myelodysplastic syndrome and myelofibrosis
• Megaloblastic anemia