Floatation of Decalcified Bone Marrow Core Biopsy – A Clue to Marrow Hypocellularity
Background : Examination of bone marrow plays a pivotal role in the practice of haematology. It can be evaluated by three ways – bone marrow aspiration smears (BMA), bone marrow touch imprints (BMI) and bone marrow biopsy (BMB). BMB sections are considered to be the gold standard for assessing...
Main Authors: | , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
2014-12-01
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Series: | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/5278/10015_CE(Ra)_F(Sh)_PF1(AJ_Sh)_PFA(Sh)_PF2(PAG).pdf |
Summary: | Background : Examination of bone marrow plays a pivotal role
in the practice of haematology. It can be evaluated by three
ways – bone marrow aspiration smears (BMA), bone marrow
touch imprints (BMI) and bone marrow biopsy (BMB). BMB
sections are considered to be the gold standard for assessing
overall marrow cellularity.
Aim and Objective: To evaluate the correlation, if any, between
bone marrow cellularity and floatation pattern of the core biopsy
specimen, after proper decalcification.
Setting and Design: This study was carried out in the Department
of Pathology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Varanasi over a
period of 26 months.
Materials and Methods: Specimens of BMA, BMI and BMB
were collected from 182 cases. The core biopsy specimens
were fixed in 10% buffered formalin for 24 hours, and were
decalcified in 5% formic acid for 12 hours. The properly
decalcified core biopsy samples were then put into adequatesized container filled with 10% buffered formalin, and floatation
pattern was documented.
Statistical Analysis: All the observations were evaluated using
simple and basic statistical tools, i.e. sensitivity, specificity,
positive predictive value. Chi square test was applied for
obtaining statistical correlation i.e. p-value.
Results: Out of 182 core biopsy specimens, 32.4% (n=59)
floated, while rests sank. Out of the 59 floating core biopsies, 57
were hypocellular. Seven core biopsies, among 123 specimens
that sank, were hypocellular. The sensitivity and specificity of
floatation pattern for hypocellular marrow were 89.2% and
99.1%, respectively. A strong correlation (p-value <0.001)
between the floatation pattern and bone marrow cellularity was
obtained.
Conclusion: Assessment of floatation pattern of properly
decalcified marrow core specimen is reliable for assessing
marrow hypocellularity. |
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ISSN: | 2249-782X 0973-709X |