Acanthocyte, in human biology and medicine, refers to a form of red blood cell that are spiked, or possess various abnormal thorny projections. [1] Acanthocytosis is the condition with acanthocyte-like red blood cells.[2]
These cells are coarse and irregularly crenellated resembling many-pointed stars. They are seen on blood films in, among others, abetalipoproteinemia[3] , liver disease, chorea acanthocytosis, McLeod syndrome and several inherited neurological disorders, such as neuroacanthocytosis.[4]
The term "echinocyte" (or "burr cell") is similar in meaning to "acanthocyte", but implies more moderate spiculation.[5] Burr cells usually imply uremia.
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