Bone marrow cellularity determination: comparison of the biopsy, aspirate,
and buffy coat
RA Gruppo, BC Lampkin and S Granger
Bone marrow biopsies (244) performed with a Jamshidi needle were evaluated
in 53 children with leukemia or aplastic anemia. Adequate specimens were
obtained in 85%. Results of cellularity estimated by biopsy were compared
to the cellularity of the aspirate versus volumetric determination of the
myeloid-erythroid layer (buffy coat). A wide discrepancy was noted between
marrow cellularity confirmed by biopsy versus the aspirate or buffy coat.
The greatest variance was seen in the hypercellular or normocellular
marrows, as estimated by biopsy, in which 39% were misinterpreted as
moderately or severely hypocellular by aspirate. Volumetric measurement of
buffy coat was least acceptable for estimating cellularity. Thus the biopsy
has proved to be an important and reliable indicator of bone marrow
cellularity.
Volume 49,
Issue 1,
pp. 29-31,
01/01/1977
Copyright © 1977 by The American Society of Hematology
