Spur cell. Illustration of an abnormal red blood cell known as a spur cell or acanthocyte. Red blood cells with this appearance can occur in association with a rare condition called abetalipoproteinemia, as well as in liver disease, chorea acanthocytosis, several inherited neurological disorders, anorexia nervosa, hypothyroidism, alcoholism, and other disorders. The deformed cells are destroyed prematurely, primarily in the spleen, resulting in anaemia.