Acanthocytes can be found in a variety of disorders. They need to be distinguished from other conditions with abnormally shaped erythrocytes.
Features of acanthocytes:
(1) irregular distribution
(2) irregular shape
(3) absence of central pallor
(4) cells microcytic
(5) projections often pointed
Occurrence:
(1) severe liver disease, especially cirrhosis (spur cell anemia)
(2) postsplenectomy
(3) malabsorption
(4) hypothyroidism
(5) abetalipoproteinemia
(6) McLeod phenotype of X-linked chronic granulomatous disease
(7) chorea-acanthocytosis
Neuroacanthocytosis is a term used to refer to betalipoproteinemia, McLeaod syndrome and chorea-acanthocytosis.
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Specialty: Hematology Oncology, Clinical Laboratory
