Staining of bone marrow aspiration slides: novel immediate staining Vs EDTA–stored samples

Abstract

Background: Bone Marrow Biopsy is used as an intervention to diagnose certain hematological and systemic diseases as an adjunct to routine laboratory investigations. The procedure includes getting an aspirate and a trephine biopsy. Slides/Smears are prepared from the aspirate and touch imprints along with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H and E) stained sections are prepared from the trephine. Traditionally the slides from the aspirate have been prepared directly (without anticoagulants) and examined along with the trephine biopsy sections to reach a diagnosis. EDTA (Ethylene Diammine Tetra Acetate) preserved specimen can also be used to make slides of the aspirate. Objective: To compare two methods of bone marrow aspirate preparation. Design of study: Randomized controlled trial. Place of study: Department of Pathology, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad Materials and methods: Patients coming to the Department of Pathology for bone marrow biopsy had their samples taken. Half of each sample was used to make direct smears and the other half was preserved in EDTA i.e. the purple top vials. Slides were made at the end of the procedure by the preserved sample and then the two were stained by the same person and procedure (Wright stain) and examined for any differences in quality. SPSS version 21.2 was used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 132 was taken.77 (58.3%) were males and 55(41.7%) were females. 50(37.9%) were adults and 82(62.1%) were children. P–value was found to be 0.81392 which was non-significant proving the fact that the 2 techniques are comparable. Conclusion: EDTA preserved bone marrow aspirate can be used to prepare slides at the end of the whole procedure without compromising the quality of the smears and result interpretation.