Clumping of erythroblasts simulating a metastatic neoplasm.
I describe an unusual case of artifactual clumping of erythroid cells in aspirated bone marrow particles, simulating a metastatic malignant small cell neoplasm. This was felt to be due to a combination of the technique of preparation of the smears, as well as a possible immunologic phenomenon secondary to the presence of membrane-bound antibody. The patient's peripheral red blood cells were shown to be coated with an IgG-specific antibody, possibly drug induced.
D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology*; D001855:Bone Marrow Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001856:Bone Marrow Examination / Q000379:methods*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004900:Erythroblasts; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis*