Pseudo-gaucher cells in peritoneal fluid: An uncommon manifestation of extramedullary hematopoiesis

Pseudo-Gaucher cells have been observed in the bone marrow of patients suff ering from a variety of hematologic disorders, including chronic myeloid le ukemia, multiple myeloma, and immune thrombocytopenic purpura, as well as o ther conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis. While the presence and poten tial clinical significance of pseudo-Gaucher cells have been documented in the hematology literature, references in standard cytology texts and journa ls are lacking. We report a case of ascites developing in the context of my elofibrosis, in which abdominal paracentesis yielded numerous pseudo-Gauche r cells as part of a mixed cellular population containing immature hematopo ietic elements, consistent with extramedullary hematopoiesis. (C) 1999 Wile y-Liss, Inc.