ABSTRACT
Objectives: To determine the indications and diagnosis encountered In bone marrow examihation from 1998-2004 in a university set-up and referral hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and to compare our results to those reported in the local literatures
Methods: The bone marrow records from the hematology-pathology section of King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital were reviewed. The data collected include age, sex, main indication for performing bone marrow examination and primary bone marrow diagnosis
Results: There were a total of 1023 bone marrow specimens. 645 [63%] were tram adults and 378 [37%] were from children. The MP ratio was 1.7:1. The three most common indications were suspected leukemia and postchemotherapy evaluation of bone marrow 20.9%, suspected myeloproliferative disorders 14.2% and pancytopenia 14%. The three most common specific diagnoses were acme leukemia 16.5%, aplastic anemia which includes aplasia secondary to chemotherapy for leukemia and lymphoma 14.3%. 9nd chronic myeloid leukemia 8%
Conclusion: This study confirms that bone marrow examination is a very important investigation for establishing the diagnosis in haematological diseases. Especially hematological neoplasms. The most common indication for this procedure in our hospital was to confirm and manage acute leukemia followed by myelo proliferative disorders. The most specific diagnosis made is acute leukemia