A 73yo woman has lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. She feels well but has had recurrent
chest infections recently. Choose the single most likely blood film findings?
a. Atypical lymphocytes
b. Excess of mature lymphocytes
c. Plasma cells
d. Multiple immature granulocytes with blast cells
e. Numerous blast cells
Ans. The key is B. Excess of mature lymphocytes. [Dx is CLL. Age of patient (usually above 50 yrs), lymhadenopathy and splenomegaly, appearance of lymphocytes (mature lymphocytes – but functionally not normal). Repeated chest infection points towards abnormal function of lymphocytes against infection].