- are remnants of cells that lack any identifiable cytoplasmic membrane or nuclear structure.
- Smudge cells, also called basket cells, are most often associated with abnormally fragile lymphocytes in disorders such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, they can also be seen in degenerating samples; in which case, their origin may not be lymphocytic ( other WBCs).
- smudge cells are not unique to CLL. They are seen much commonly and in much higher numbers in CLL. The count in normal specimens may be 0.01 percent, severe infections or burns it may be 0.1 to 0.3 percent. In patients with acute leukemias it may be 1 to 3 percent but in CLL patients it may be up to 20 percent of all cells or higher.
Smudge cells
