Figure 1.. Acanthocytes are red cells that have a spherical core and a spiculated appearance. A typical acanthocyte lacks central pallor and has from 3 to 12 "spikes" or "knobs." They can be seen in advanced liver disease (where they are referred to as spur cells), abetalipoproteinemia, and, occasionally, after splenectomy.
Peter Maslak, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
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