Complementry Role of Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy

Abstract

Introduction: Bone marrow examination is an important diagnostic tool to evaluate various hematological and non-hematological disorders. The two most important techniques used for the diagnosis are bone marrow aspiration and bone marrow biopsy which play complementary role with each other when performed simultaneously. Aims and Objectives: Study was done to compare the results of BMA and BMB and by that to prove the complementary role of both techniques to each other. Material and Methods: We evaluated total 74 cases in central laboratory, department of pathology, at tertiary care centre. All aspirations were stained by giemsa and iron stain while all biopsy were stained by routine H&E stain. Reticulin stain and IHC markers were used as and when required. Result: Out of total 74 cases, 40 cases showed positive corelation between these two techniques (54%). In two cases aspiration was not possible. In 8 cases biopsy was not done. 4 cases showed crushing artefact in BMB while 3 cases of aspiration were either diluted or dry tap. In all these cases diagnosis became possible by the alternate technique. BMB replaced BMA and vice versa as and when required. Conclusion: BMA and BMB are complementary procedure which yields extra support in diagnosing various hematological and non hematological disorders when one or other technique fails due to some reason