Usefulness of trephine bone marrow biopsies in the diagnosis of diseases in Nigerians
Okafor, L.A.
East African Medical Journal 61(11): 824-828
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0012-835X PMID: 6535706 Document Number: 226071
Trephine bone marrow biopsies were performed in Nigerians with medical disorders. The study included 32 patients who met a set of indications for bone marrow biopsy between 1979-1983. The procedure was successful in providing a diagnoses in 15 patients who had Dray Tap, no blood or tissue was sucked up during several attempts at marrow aspiration; 4 cases of cancer metastatic to bone marrow. Of the 15 patients, 12 (80%) with dry tap had myelofibrosis which could only have been diagnosed by bone marrow biopsy, which is also the best way to diagnose the 3 cases of aplastic anemia found in the study. Only 1 of the 11 cases (9%) of lymphomas staged by bone marrow biopsy had bone marrow involvement with lymphoma. Bone marrow biopsy is a useful procedure which should be encouraged in developing countries where its use is currently restricted to a few hospitals.