Fine structures of the spleen in hereditary elliptocytosis

Light and electron microscopic studies of the spleen and liver from a patient with hereditary elliptocytosis have been reported. Characteristic findings are congestion of the cordal space, diminished variation of the erythrocyte shape in the cord, relatively empty sinuses and erythrophagocytosis by the cordal macrophages. The same basic defect of the red cell membrane as has been documented in hereditary sperocytosis might be a possible explanation on the pathogenesis of this rare hemolytic anemia.