Detection of bone marrow involvement by neuroblastoma: Comparison of two cytological methods

Abstract

In order to improve the assessment of bone marrow (BM) involvement by neuroblastoma, a study has been designated on aspirated material from ten BM sites. The classical method of smearing each BM aspirate (TK1) was compared to cytocentrifugation of the pool of BM samples after gradient density separation (TK2). Twenty smears from each technique were screened for the presence of tumor clumps. The screening was much easier and more rapid by TK2 than by TK1. Of the 103 procedures performed, 100 results were found concordant by both techniques, 3 were found negative by TK1 and positive by TK2. None was found positive by TK1 and negative by TK2. Of the 25 positive procedures, two had an equal number of positive smears by both techniques and 23 had more positive smears by TK2 than by TK1 (p < 0.001). Cytological examination of cytocentrifuge smears from the pool of BM samples after gradient density separation appears a simple, rapid and accurate technique for routine detection of BM involvement in neuroblastoma.