Acanthocyte
(Spurr cell, Spike cell)
Peripheral blood smear, Wright-Giemsa, 1000x
Description:
Thorn-like projections of varying lengths irregularly distributed over the surface of the red cell.
Pathobiology:
Due to an increase in the membrane cholesterol:lecithin ratio of the outer leaflet of the lipid bilayer. The change is usually irreversible.
Differential Diagnosis:
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Asplenia and hyposplenism
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Liver disease
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Abetalipoproteinemia
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Neuroacanthocytosis
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McLeod and In (Lutheran a-, b-) blood group phenotypes
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Malnutrition
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Myelodysplastic syndromes with dyserythropoiesis
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Charles
E.
Hess,
M.D.,FACP
Professor of Internal Medicine |
| Department of Medicine Division of Hematology/Oncology |
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| M.D. Degree: | University of Virginia, 1959 | |
| Residency: | Internal Medicine, University of Virginia | |
| Fellowship: | Hematology, University of Virginia | |
| Certification: |
Internal Medicine
Hematology |
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| Research Interests: | Hematologic malignancies, splenomegaly | |
| Department Web Site: | http://www.healthsystem.vir ginia.edu/internet/internal/ |
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| Phone: | (434) 924-2572 | |