acanthocyte (spur cell)

Introduction

Acanthocytes (spur cells) are irregularly spiculated erythrocytes (multiple spiny cytoplasmic projections), distinguished from echinocytes which have uniformly distributed spicules.

Etiology

• acanthocytes in blood
  • abetalipoproteinemia
  • severe or chronic liver disease
  • anorexia nervosa
  • malabsorption
• acanthocytes in urine
  • glomerular bleeding, glomerulonephritis

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

More general terms

• erythrocyte-variant