Blast Cells

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The page below is a sample from the LabCE course Cerebrospinal Fluid (retired 7/17/2012). Access the complete course and earn ASCLS P.A.C.E.-approved continuing education credits by subscribing online.

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Blast Cells

Blast cells may be seen in the spinal fluid when cell proliferation in acute leukemia or lymphoma spreads to the central nervous system. The arrows indicate the two blasts in this field. Notice the smooth chromatin pattern in the nucleus and prominent nucleoli in both cells. Notice that an Auer rod is present in the cytoplasm in the blast to the right. The Auer rod indicates that these blasts are myeloblasts rather than lymphoblasts. A segmented neutrophil and several red cells can also be seen.