Lymphoreticular fragments, the cellular debris of acute lymphosarcoma cell leukemia

Lymphosarcoma cell leukemia cells have a propensity to fragment. In the following case, these fragments were initially interpreted by an electronic cell counter as platelets, thereby obscuring a true thrombocytopenic situation. These fragments may also resemble polychromatophilic red cells thus giving rise to the erroneous impression that a hemolytic process is accompanying this B cell leukemia.