Case 1

This 62 year-old man presented to the doctor for evaluation of low back pain. His automated complete blood count (CBC) showed (reference ranges in parentheses):
Hgb 12 mg/dL (12-16)
Hct 36 cL/L (37-47)
MCV 90 fL (80-94)
MCHC 33 g/dL (32-36)
WBC total 8500/µL, with normal differential
Platelet count 190,000/µL (133,00-333,000)
Reticulocyte count (uncorrected) 0.6% (0.5-1.5)
Bone marrow aspirate clot section

Case 2

This 20 year-old man presented to the physician's office for evaluation of malaise and weakness. The physical exam showed swollen, bleeding gingiva. Petechiae were noted on the extremities. His automated complete blood count (CBC) showed:
Hgb 10 mg/dL (14-18)
Hct 30 cL/L (42-452)
MCV 81 fL (80-94)
MCHC 33 g/dL (32-36)
WBC total 1700/µL
granulocytes 20% or 340/µL (1160-8300)
lymphocytes 70% or 1190/µL (1000-4800)
monocytes 6% or 100/µL (200-950)
eosinophils 2% or 30/µL (0-450)
basophils 2% or 30/µL (0-200)
Platelet count 25,000/µL (133,00-333,000)
Reticulocyte count (uncorrected) 0.2% (0.5-1.5)
Bone marrow aspirate smear

Case 3

This 47 year-old male presented to the clinic complaining of a vague feeling of heaviness in his left abdomen. Physcial exam showed splenomegaly. His automated complete blood count (CBC) showed:
Hgb 8 mg/dL (14-48)
Hct 24 cL/L (42-52)
MCV 89 fL (80-94)
MCHC 33 g/dL (32-36)
WBC total 3500/µL
granulocytes 30% or 1050/µL (1160-8300)
lymphocytes 60% or 2100/µL (1000-4800)
monocytes 7% or 250/µL (200-950)
eosinophils 2% or 70/µL (0-450)
basophils 1% or 35/µL (0-200)
Platelet count 92,000/µL (133,00-333,000)
Reticulocyte count (uncorrected) 0.2% (0.5-1.5)
Peripheral smear

Case 4

This patient is a 24 year-old woman complaining of fever and weight loss. The parameters of the CBC are within normal limits. The chest x-ray showed a large anterior mediastinal mass. This mass was biopsied via mediastinoscopy.

A histologic secion of the mass

Case 5

This 27 year-old HIV-positive woman came to the doctor complainingn of fever and weight loss. Physical exam showed a large abdominal mass. Her automated complete blood count showed:
Hgb 11 mg/dL (12-16)
Hct 33 cL/L (37-47)
MCV 92 fL (80-94)
MCHC 33 g/dL (32-36)
WBC total 3500/µL
granulocytes 25% or 870/µL (1160-8300)
lymphocytes 65% or 2280/µL (1000-4800)
monocytes 7% or 250/µL (200-950)
eosinophils 2% or 70/µL (0-450)
basophils 1% or 35/µL (0-200)
Additionally, the CBC machine reported a "blast flag".
Platelet count 110,000/µL (133,00-333,000)
Reticulocyte count (uncorrected) 1.1% (0.5-1.5)
Bone marrow aspirate smear

Case 6

This 62 year-old man presented to the doctor for evaluation of swelling in the neck and "kernels" in his axillae. The physical exam showed cervical and axillary lymphadenopathy. His automated complete blood count (CBC) showed:
Hgb 10 mg/dL (14-18)
Hct 30 cL/L (42-52)
MCV 95 fL (80-94)
MCHC 33 g/dL (32-36)
WBC total 18,000/µL
granulocytes 25% or 4500/µL (1160-8300)
lymphocytes 70% or 12,600/µL (1000-4800)
monocytes 3% or 550/µL (200-950)
eosinophils 2% or 40/µL (0-450)
basophils 0% or 0/µL (0-200)
Platelet count 141,000/µL (133,00-333,000)
Reticulocyte count (uncorrected) 3.6% (0.5-1.5)
Bone marrow aspirate smear

Case 7

This 62 year-old male presented to the clinic complaining of shortness of breath and visual disturbances. His automated complete blood count (CBC) showed:
Hgb 9 mg/dL (14-18)
Hct 27 cL/L (42-52)
MCV 89 fL (80-94)
MCHC 33 g/dL (32-36)
WBC total 135,000/µL
granulocytes 92% or 124,000/µL (1160-8300)
lymphocytes 3% or 4000/µL (1000-4800)
monocytes 1% or 1300/µL (200-950)
eosinophils 2% or 2700/µL (0-450)
basophils 2% or 2700/µL (0-200)
Platelet count 890,000/µL (133,00-333,000)
Reticulocyte count (uncorrected) 0.2% (0.5-1.5)


Peripheral smear and Bone marrow core biopsy