Immunophenotypic analysis of cells isolated from bone marrow biopsies in patients with failed bone marrow aspiration ('dry tap').

Abstract

A method for the immunophenotypic analysis of bone marrow cells in cases of failed bone marrow aspiration is described. Cell suspensions are obtained by mechanical disaggregation of bone marrow core biopsies. The isolated cells are stained with the appropriate antibodies and analyzed by flow cytometry. The usefulness of the method is illustrated by presenting immunophenotypic data obtained in eight consecutive cases accessioned by the authors' laboratory. The method is simple and reproducible. It allows for parallel morphologic examination with Romanovski-type stains and is capable of generating multivariate, quantitative, immunophenotypic data useful in the diagnosis of leukemia and lymphoma.