stomatocytosis; hydrocytosis; xerocytosis

Etiology

• hereditary & sporadic

Pathology

• abnormally increased cation influx results in swollen erythrocytes, hemolysis, & hydrocytosis
• net loss of cations and water results in xerocytosis

Laboratory

• complete blood count
  • anemia
  • MCV as high as 110-150 fL hydrocytes
  • Coulter counter overestimates size of xerocytes
  • WBC count & platelet count generally normal
• reticulocyte count is elevated with hemolysis
• peripheral blood smear
  • 5-50% stomatocytes; < 3% is normal
• osmotic fragility test
  • overhydrated stomatocytosis are osmotically fragile
  • dehydrated stomatocytosis are resistant to osmotic lysis

Management

• folic acid for significant hemolysis
• chelation with deferoxamine for iron overload

More general terms

• erythrocyte disorder

More specific terms

• hereditary stomatocytosis (cryohydrocytosis)

Additional terms

• stomatocyte
• stomatocytes in blood