Differential Diagnosis of Neuroacanthocytosis

Acanthocytes are atypical erythrocytes with sharp membrane protrusions. The range of diseases classified as neuroacanthocytosis (NA) includes a variety of disorders characterised by the occurrence of acanthocytes together with neurological symptoms. The detection of acanthocytes is, however, not specific and may not necessarily be a symptom of NA. The text describes both the most frequent and rare forms of NA, their etiology, and clinical and laboratory picture. The authors propose their own differential diagnostic approach based on the incidence of atrophy of the caput nuclei caudati which can make diagnosis faster and cheaper.