Auer rod-like inclusions in a low-grade B-cell leukemia.

Auer rods define neoplastic blasts of myeloid origin. However, azurophilic, needle-shaped, Auer rod-like inclusions have rarely been reported in the neoplastic cells of patients with B-cell malignancies, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma. Here, we report a case of low-grade B-cell leukemia most consistent with chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma that displayed numerous intracytoplasmic, needle-shaped, azurophilic rods resembling Auer rods. Furthermore, we review the literature on Auer rod-like structures in B-cell neoplasms. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.