Spiny red blood cells

Acanthocyte: Needle-shaped protrusions on the surface of red blood cells with irregular spacing. The protrusions vary in length and width. It appears more frequently in blood smears of patients with beta lipoprotein deficiency. Can also be seen after splenectomy, alcoholic liver disease. Note the difference from shrinking red blood cells. The periphery of the shrinking red blood cells is closely arranged in a zigzag pattern, the size is the same, and the outer end is sharp.