Granulocytic Leukemia at 20x magnification via microscopyu
D-dimerD-dimer tests are ordered, along with other laboratory tests and imaging scans, to help rule out the presence of a thrombus. This test may be used to determine if further testing is necessary to help diagnose diseases and conditions that cause hypercoagulability, a tendency to clot inappropriately.
(-) A normal or negative D-dimer result means that it is most likely that the person tested does not have an acute condition or disease that is causing abnormal clot formation and breakdown. Most doctors agree that a negative D-dimer is most valid and useful when the test is done on people who are considered to be at low to intermediate risk for thrombosis. The test is used to help rule out clotting as the cause of symptoms.
(+) A positive D-dimer result may indicate the presence of an abnormally high level of fibrin degradation products. It tells the doctor that there may be significant blood clot (thrombus) formation and breakdown in the body, but it does not tell the location or cause. It may be due to, for example, a venous thromboembolism (VTE) or DIC. Typically, the D-dimer level is very elevated in DIC.
*** However, an elevated D-dimer does not always indicate the presence of a clot because a number of other factors can cause an increased level. Elevated levels may be seen in conditions in which fibrin is formed and then broken down, such as recent surgery, trauma, infection, heart disease, and some cancers or conditions in which fibrin is not cleared normally, such as liver disease.
Hairy Cell Leukaemia
Hairy-cell leukaemia, found primarily in middle-aged males, has a survival rate of 96-100% at ten years, but commonly relapses. It is not curable, but is easily treatable. It is a cancer of B-lymphocytes which accumulate in the bone marrow. The name ‘hairy cell’ stems from the appearance of the malignant cells under a microscope.
I love the hand thing… I ALWAYS use this for questions r/t labs to monitor when a pt is receiving either one of these drugs
Field emission scanning electron microscope image of a human dendritic cell (blue pseudo-color) in close interaction with a lymphocyte (yellow pseudo-color). This contact may lead to the creation of an immunological synapse.
Eosinophil with a two-lobed nucleus. These types of leukocytes are granular, and specialize in attacking parasitic/helminthic agents.
Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of an elastic artery cross-section. The cross-section was taken from a small elastic artery originally from a human lung. The lumen contains red blood cells (red) and platelets (yellow). In the wall of the blood vessel, a clear internal elastic lamina (pale purple) is visible. This elastic lamina gives rise to the Windkessel effect, which helps to maintain a relatively constant pressure in the arteries despite the pulsating nature of the blood flow.
Image Source: Science Photo Library.
