Abstract
The presence of granular leukocytes within megakaryocytes was a striking and unusual feature of the bone marrow from a 59-year-old, uremic, diabetic woman being investigated for anemia and thrombocytopenia. By using tissue culture technics and time-lapse phase-contrast cinephotography, emperipolesis (“ inside round about wandering ”) of leukocytes within megakaryocytes was demonstrated. In the tissue culture, leukocytes appeared to be attracted to the megakaryocytes. Upon entry into a megakaryocyte they exhibited considerable movement therein, then departed without apparent injury to either participant. The appearance of the cytologic and histologic material suggested that this phenomenon was very prevalent in vivo . Studies using the electron microscope demonstrated intact membranes surrounding the granulocytes and lining the megakaryocytic vesicles. The significance of this rare finding has not been established. It is hoped that this report will draw attention to this phenomenon.
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