acanthocyte (spur cell)

Introduction

Acanthocytes (spur cells) are irregularly spiculated erythrocytes (multiple spiny cytoplasmic projections)

Etiology

• acanthocytes in blood
  • abetalipoproteinemia
  • severe or chronic liver disease (uremia associated with echinocytes)
  • anorexia nervosa
  • malabsorption
• acanthocytes in urine
  • glomerular bleeding, glomerulonephritis

* described in as erythrocytes with 'Mickey Mouse' ears in the urine

Differential diagnosis

• echinocytes in blood of patients with uremia

More general terms

• erythrocyte-variant