On peripheral smear of a patient with CLL, the characteristic finding that results from mechanical fragility of leukemic lymphocytes during smear preparation is:

• A Pelger-Huet anomaly
• B Mott cells
• C Smudge (basket) cells ✓
• D Reed-Sternberg cells

Explanation

Smudge cells (basket cells) are a hallmark of CLL on peripheral smear; they result from mechanical disruption of fragile neoplastic lymphocytes during slide preparation, leaving smeared nuclear remnants. Pelger-Huet anomaly is seen in myeloid disorders; Mott cells are plasma cells with Russell bodies; Reed-Sternberg cells are in Hodgkin lymphoma tissue.

Reference: Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.