Smudge cell

Smudge cells, also known as Gumprecht shadows or basket cells, results from shearing forces on cells during the spreading of blood films.They are disrupted nuclei of fragile cells smashed against the glass slide. They are seen in largest numbers in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. It has been demonstrated to be linked to reduced expression of the cytoskeletal protein vimentin and to be inversely correlated to clinical outcome.