Histopathological trephine biopsy findings in cases of 'dry tap' bone marrow aspirations
Navone, R.; Colombano, M.T.
Applied Pathology 2(5): 264-271
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0252-1172 PMID: 6545669 Document Number: 238316
Out of 3,173 bone marrow biopsies, we found 138 cases (4.3%) of 'dry tap' aspirations: 35/218 (16%) acute leukemias, 44/445 (9.8%) myeloproliferative syndromes, 29/328 (8.8%) malignant lymphomas and Hodgkin's diseases, 10/208 (4.8%) myelomas and 10/74 (13.5%) metastatic carcinomas. Histology showed that the most common changes associated with scanty yield aspirations were bone marrow fibrosis (patchy or diffuse) and hypercellularity (especially if due to immature cells). None of the 'dry tap' cases showed normal bone marrow by trephine biopsy. It is concluded that the finding of a 'dry tap' should never be dismissed as being due to faulty technique and always needs a bone marrow biopsy.