Role of Bone Marrow Clot Biopsy in Workup of Haematological and Non-Haematological Diseases

Abstract

Objective: To study the role of bone marrow clot biopsy in the diagnosis of haematological and non haematological disorders.

Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Pathology, Ayub Medical College from January 2018 to December 2019 over two years.

Materials and Methods: 335 patients of both sex and age > two years were enrolled by non-probability convenience sampling after an informed written consent.  Children <two years old were excluded. Venous blood sample taken for complete blood counts and blood film, bone marrow obtained from posterior iliac spine, smears made from the marrow aspirate and venous blood immediately and fixed in alcohol after drying. The remaining part of bone marrow sample was allowed to clot and fixed in 10 percent buffered formol saline and processed further like soft tissue biopsy. Trephine biopsy obtained from the same site, fixed in 10 percent formol saline, before processing further. Slides prepared from blood were stained by May Grunewald Giemsa (MGG). Slides of bone marrow trephine biopsy and clot biopsy were stained by haematoxylin & eosin stain after processing. These slides were examined independently by an experienced pathologist taking care of biasness and double blinding.   Results of bone marrow clot biopsy were compared with trephine biopsy.

Results: Total of 335 patients (176 males and 159 females, Male to female ratio 1:1.1). Trephine biopsy made conclusive diagnosis in 326 and marrow clot biopsy in 121 patients.

Conclusion: There is statistically no significant difference in diagnostic role of trephine and clot biopsy.