There is an interesting history behind these cells, so familiar to hematologists & pathologists: ring (formerly 'ringed') sideroblasts. While most commonly associated with #MDS or inherited disorders like #XLSA, they can also result from ethanol or TB drugs - even hypothermia./1

Since my recent "tweetorial" about the history of ring sideroblasts & Prussian blue seems to have been well received, I thought I’d follow up with the fascinating and sordid history of the term, “Refractory Anemia” (RA). (This ugly #MDS image is from a book I edited years ago.)/1

Anemia that didn’t respond to iron salts or raw liver soon became known as “refractory” anemia. Later, Lucy Wills (she just got a Google doodle for her 131st birthday!) discovered another anemia-treating factor - it became known as folate - and that too was thrown in the mix./7