glenda248

The synonym for a smudge cell is a basket cell. These so called "smudge cells/basket cells" are mechanically distorted, fragile white cells usually a lymphocyte. We grade our smudge cells as a percentage of all white cells. (<10 occasional, 10-25 1+, 25-50 2+, 50-75 3+, >75 4+) The origin of the cell is unknown since the cytoplasm is unrecognizable. They are not to be confused with a "damaged white cell" which is an artifactual change seen in blood smears from lipemic specimens.

Smudge cells are usually lymphocytes but because the cytoplasm is not recognizable the cell origin can't be determined. It is a form of cell death. These cells are very fragile and can be easily damanaged by making a peripheral smear.