Marked elliptocytosis and schistocytosis in hematopoietic dysplasia

A 78-year-old white male patient presented with anemia characterized by marked elliptocytosis and schistocytosis. Other morphologic findings in the peripheral blood and marrow were diagnostic of hematopoietic dysplasia (preleukemic syndrome). Five years previously elliptocytosis and schistocytosis were not present, and the only features suggesting hematopoietic dysplasia were significant numbers of micromegakaryocytes in the marrow and rare giant platelets with giant granules in the peripheral blood. The features of this case suggest that acquired marked elliptocytosis and schistocytosis may be an unusual manifestation of hematopoietic dysplasia.