Acanthocyte
Acanthocytes are a pathological form of the erythrocytes . As a result of a disproportion between cell volume and cell membrane, they have pointed runners - they are therefore also called "spiky cells". The enlargement of the cell surface is due to an increased uptake of cholesterol in the cell membrane. Acanthocytes occur in some liver and blood diseases, after a spleen has been removed, and in some rare neurological diseases, the so-called neuroacanthocytosis syndromes. Acanthocytes must be morphologically differentiated from fragmentocytes and thorn apple forms .
Methodological aspects
The spike shape of the erythrocytes can escape the examiner with a simple blood smear. If the blood sample is mixed with 0.9% NaCl in a 1: 2 dilution before the examination, the spine shapes can be seen much more clearly.
Acanthocytes in the urine
As part of hematuria , acanthocytes (acanthocyturia) can also appear in the urine . Evidence is provided by a phase contrast microscopic examination of the urine sediment . Ring-shaped erythrocytes with vesicle-shaped protuberances ("Mickey Mouse ears") are typical. If the proportion of erythrocytes in the urine sediment is more than 5%, this indicates glomerulonephritis or other damage at the level of the glomeruli as the cause of the microhematuria. No acanthocytes are observed for any other cause of hematuria.
Individual evidence
- ^ Eveline Wandel et al .: Acanthocyturia — A characteristic marker for glomerular bleeding . In: Kidney International . No. 40 , 1991, pp. 115-120 ( PDF ).
