A Case of Multiple Myeloma with Auer Rod-Like Inclusions in Plasma Cells.

BACKGROUND

Auer rods are considered to be a distinctive feature of acute myeloid leukemia, presenting in the cytoplasm of leukocytes in a purplish-red rod-like, wood-bundles-like, and spindle-like morphology. In this paper, we report a rare presence of wood-bundles-like Auer rods in the plasma cells of patient with multiple myeloma (MM).

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of the clinical presentation and laboratory diagnosis of patients with multiple myeloma containing Auer rod-like inclusions in plasma cells were reviewed in this study.

RESULTS

In 2014, 15% of plasma cells were shown in the patient's bone marrow smear, and the diagnosis of multiple myeloma was considered. The cytosol of plasma cells was medium-sized, the nucleus was deviated, the chromatin was aggregated in clumps, and Auer rod-like inclusions arranged in woody bundles were seen in the cytoplasm. In 2017, the patient's condition relapsed, and an abnormal increase of κ-type free light chains was found in the urine, and the urine Bence-Jones protein was positive. In 2021, the patient's condition aggravated to the point of death.

CONCLUSIONS

In this uncommon case, the source and mechanism of Auer rod-like inclusions production should be paid more attention to provide rational suggestions for clinical diagnosis.