Chronic lymphosarcoma-cell leukaemia versus chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. Quantitative electron-microscopic study
Rozman, C.; Woessner, S.
Sangre 24(4): 396-411
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-4355 PMID: 582630 Document Number: 139451
Peripheral blood cells corresponding to 12 cases of chronic lymphosarcoma cell leukemia (CLSL) were studied by quantitative transmission electron microscopy. To obtain possible differential features with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the data were compared with those observed in 19 cases of CLL. The mean cell area, which can be normal, increased or decreased in both conditions, is not a differential feature. Neither is this true for the nucleus/cytoplasm ratio which is usually increased in both conditions. The nuclear contour index shows an opposite tendency: to increase in CLSL and to decrease in CLL, permitting in general a good discrimination between these 2 diseases. Among the qualitative ultrastructural features, a great differential value is to be given to the observation of nuclear "pockets", which were observed by the authors in 8 out of 14 cases of CLSC and in none out of 61 cases of CLL. The differential criteria between CLSL and CLL are proposed.