Fanconi's anemia: ultrastructural observations on erythroblasts

A case of Fanconi's anemia is reported. Particular attention was given to the ultrastructure of the erythroblasts. The main abnormalities are summarized as follows: (1) striking polymorphism of all the erythroblasts, (2) multiple nuclear cisternae showing several breaks, (3) admixture of nucleus and cytoplasm, (4) myelinic figures inside nuclear cisternae and cytoplasm, (5) moth-eaten nucleus, and (6) total absence of normal erythroblasts. These abnormalities were still visible after therapy in spite of clinical and hematologic improvement.