Bone marrow biopsy

Question 1

What is the point of the biopsy (slide)

Answer 1

Gives a general overview of the degree of involvement and specific histologic features associated with the process (eg, fibrosis, necrosis)

Question 2

What is the point of the aspirate?

Answer 2

Provides material for a 500-cell differential count to determine the percentage of blasts in the marrow; it also provides for detailed cytologic evaluation of the blasts and other cells that may be residual normal hematopoietic elements or abnormal cells maturing from the blasts