DIVERSITY OF HEMATOLOGICAL DISORDERS UNCOVERED IN BONE MARROW EVALUATION

Abstract

Background: Bone marrow examination is a significant diagnostic tool for assessing a wide range of hematological and certain non-hematological disorders. The spectrum of disorders varies with patient population and referral patterns, and local trend data remain limited. This retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the distribution and trends of hematological and non-hematological disorders diagnosed on bone marrow examination. The results aim to highlight the relative frequencies of various conditions diagnosed on routine bone marrow examination.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the hematology department of Chughtai Institute of Pathology between January 2022 and December 2023.  The study comprised all bone marrow biopsies performed at Chughtai Institute of Pathology as well as biopsy specimens received for reporting from various centers. One thousand nine hundred and seventy-one bone marrow biopsies in all were documented.  Relevant clinical data were obtained and statistically analyzed, including patient demographics, presenting symptoms, laboratory results, imaging tests, bone marrow morphology, immunophenotypic profiles, and diagnosis. The mean and standard deviation for age was determined. Qualitative variables such as gender and diagnosis were expressed as frequencies and percentages.

Results: Most prevalent hematological condition in the current study group, with 289 cases and a frequency of 14.6%, was precursor B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Acute myeloid leukemia (9.02%), aplastic anemia (6.18%), chronic myeloid leukemia (6.33%), and were the next most prevalent disorders.  4% patients had megaloblastic anemia, whereas 10.44% of the patients had normal morphology.

Conclusion: Bone marrow examination remains a vital diagnostic tool for a wide range of hematological and non-hematological conditions. This retrospective study determines the major conditions encountered and reveals trends in their relative frequencies, providing clinicians with valued insight into local disease patterns and supporting in targeted diagnostic evaluation.

Keywords: bone marrow examination, hematological disorders, leukemia.