Pseudo-Gaucher Cells In Peritoneal Fluid: An Uncommon Manifestation Of Extramedullary Hematopoiesis

Pseudo-Gaucher cells have been observed in the bone marrow of patients suffering from a variety of hematologic disorders, including chronic myeloid leukemia, multiple myeloma, and immune thrombocytopenic purpura, as well as other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis. While the presence and potential clinical significance of pseudo-Gaucher cells have been documented in the hematology literature, references in standard cytology texts and journals are lacking. We report a case of ascites developing in the context of myelofibrosis, in which abdominal paracentesis yielded numerous pseudo-Gaucher cells as part of a mixed cellular population containing immature hematopoietic elements, consistent with extramedullary hematopoiesis. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.