Ultrastructural computerized morphometry of platelets in chronic myelogenous leukemia making use of ultra-thin sections and freeze-fracture procedure. A preliminary approach.

Biochemical and morphological data have shown that the circulating platelets are deeply altered in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia. In this report we describe the results of ultrastructural morphometry performed by means of a computerized device of the platelet shape (ultra-thin sectioned platelets) and of the platelet plasma-membrane (freeze-fractured platelets). Platelets appeared deeply modified: reduced mean platelet area and perimeter, increased surface density of the openings of the surface connected canalicular system, abnormal features of the platelet cytoplasm and some aspects of platelets joined together even if with heterogeneity in these findings did appear from patient to patient.