Surface morphology of platelets in spur-cell anemia.

Spur-cell anemia is characterized by the presence of an abnormally shaped erythrocyte, the acanthocyte. Platelets from two patients with spur-cell anemia were studied by scanning electron microscopy to determine whether there were any abnormalities of platelet shape. In both cases, irregularly distributed bulbous-like projections were observed on the platelet surface membrane. These observations suggest that platelets from patients with spur-cell anemia have an abnormal surface morphology.