Limited flow cytometry panels on bone marrow specimens reduce costs and predict negative cytogenetics.

Abstract

To determine the clinical and financial impact and predictive value of a limited flow cytometry strategy in the evaluation of bone marrow specimens. Consecutive bone marrow cases (n = 1,242) were reviewed following the independent, prospective application of two flow cytometry protocols: a limited marker strategy and a multimarker strategy. Combined morphologic and flow cytometry findings were also compared with cytogenetic results. A limited flow cytometry strategy did not have a negative impact on disease detection and resulted in reduced utilization and cost. In addition, negative combined morphology and flow cytometry had a 98.4% predictive value for negative cytogenetics (P < .001). Careful initial evaluation of bone marrow specimens can markedly reduce the costs of bone marrow examination and significantly reduce the need for flow cytometric and cytogenetic studies on these samples.