Acanthocyte

Acanthocytes are a pathological form of the erythrocytes. They have as a result of an imbalance between cell volume and cell membrane pointed spurs - they are called, therefore, " prickle cells ". The increase in cell surface comes through increased uptake of cholesterol into existence in the cell membrane. Acanthocytes come, among others, in some liver diseases and blood disorders, after removal of the spleen and in some rare neurological diseases, the so-called Neuroacanthocytosis syndromes ago. Acanthocytes must be differentiated morphologically from fragmentocytes and Datura forms.

Methodological aspects

The sting shape of the red blood cells can escape the examiner with a simple blood smear. When the blood sample prior to testing with NaCl 0.9% is added in a 1:2 dilution of the spiked forms are much more clearly seen.

Acanthocytes in urine

As part of hematuria in the urine acanthocytes ( Akanthozyturie ) may occur. The detection is performed by phase- contrast microscopic examination of urine sediment. Typical are ring-shaped red blood cells with vesicular protuberances ( " Mickey Mouse ears "). If the proportion is more than 5 % of the erythrocytes in the urine sediment, which indicates a glomerulonephritis or other damage at the level of the glomeruli as a cause of hematuria. For all other causes of hematuria no acanthocytes are observed.