Myeloma cells with asurophilic granules--an unusual morphological variant--case presentation.

We present the case of an 80-year-old man who was admitted for anemia, back pain and progressive weakness. After a workup of clinical and laboratory data, the final diagnosis was multiple myeloma. The bone marrow aspirate revealed 53% myeloma cells with peculiar and rare morphological features: numerous large asurophilic--bright red granules--mucopolizaccharides and immunoglobulins secreted and accumulated in the endoplasmic reticulum, typically known as Russel bodies.