Lymph nodes & spleen, nonlymphoma
Lymph node-nonspecific findings
Erythrophagocytosis
Author: Jayalakshmi Balakrishna, M.D.
Last author update: 1 June 2016
Last staff update: 4 April 2023 (update in progress)
Copyright: 2002-2023, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Erythrophagocytosis[TI]
Table of Contents
Definition / general | Essential features | Epidemiology | Sites | Etiology | Clinical features | Diagnosis | Prognostic factors | Gross description | Microscopic (histologic) description | Cytology images | Differential diagnosis | Additional referencesCite this page: Balakrishna J. Erythrophagocytosis. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/lymphnodeserythrophagocytosis.html. Accessed June 5th, 2023.
Definition / general
- Ingestion or phagocytosis of red blood cells by macrophages / sinus histiocytes
- Present in most axilla lymph nodes to some extent, marked after breast biopsy (Am J Clin Pathol 1988;90:189)
- May also be associated with lymphoproliferative disorders
Essential features
- Reactive or due to trauma to the draining sites
- Enlarged or normal sized lymph nodes
- Sinus histiocytosis
- Erythrocytes in the sinuses
- Erythrophagocytosis
- Hemosiderosis
Epidemiology
- Common in lymph nodes after trauma to draining sites
Sites
- Axilla
- Other lymph node groups
Etiology
- Posttrauma to the draining sites
- Renal diseases: malignant hypertension, chronic glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis
- Infections
- Lymph node hemorrhage, congestion
- Sinus erythrocytosis
- Autoimmune and other immunopathologic conditions
- Can be seen in lymph nodes with no apparent etiology
Clinical features
- Asymptomatic or enlarged lymph node
Diagnosis
- Lymph node biopsy
Prognostic factors
- Depends on etiology
Gross description
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Brown discoloration of extensive hemosiderosis
Microscopic (histologic) description
- Sinus histiocytosis
- Sinuses contain red blood cells
- Erythrophagocytosis
- Hemosiderosis
Cytology images
Contributed by Patricia Tsang, M.D., M.B.A.
Bone marrow aspirate smear
Differential diagnosis
- Autoimmune hemolysis
- Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
- Histiocytic neoplasms
- Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (Rosai-Dorfman disease)
- T cell lymphoma
Additional references
