Crystal-storing histiocytes in ascites leading to a diagnosis of plasma cell myeloma

Diagn Cytopathol. 2021 Sep;49(9):E336-E339. doi: 10.1002/dc.24755. Epub 2021 May 4.

Abstract

Histiocytes containing multiple needle-shaped eosinophilic crystals visualized in a peritoneal fluid sample during evaluation of a patient for liver transplantation led to the diagnosis of unsuspected IgA kappa myeloma. Crystal-storing histiocytosis is a rare phenomenon typically associated with multiple myeloma and B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders. It can involve almost any anatomic site and can occasionally be seen in body fluid samples.

Keywords: ascites; crystals; histiocytes; multiple myeloma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Ascites / pathology*
  • Ascitic Fluid / pathology
  • Histiocytes / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Multiple Myeloma / diagnosis*