[Bone marrow involvement in hodgkin's lymphoma]

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to identify factors that can predict bone marrow involvement [BMI] by bone marrow biopsy [BMB] in Hodgkin's lymphoma [HL]. Patients of both sexes [35 males and 22 females] with Hodgkin's lymphoma who were admitted to Aleppo University Hospital and Al-Kindi University Hospital were enrolled in the period from May 2010 to May 2012. All patients had received bilateral bone marrow biopsy, the relationships between BMB results and other clinical and laboratory features were studied completely. Seven patients [12.3%] showed to have BMI [2 in one side, 5 in both]. The factors that predict BMI were B symptoms, iliac and/or inguinal lymphadenopathy, involvement of >/= 4 lymphatic areas, lymphocyte depleted [LD] histology, advanced stages [3 and 4], lymphocytopenia [<1000/mm[3]], eosinophilia [>400/mm[3]], anemia and elevated ESR [>50 mm/1[st] h]. The probability of BMI according to the presence of these variables was 0% for [0 to 6] factors, 75% for 7 factors and 100% for 8 or 9 of the previous factors. Bilateral BMB is recommended in patients who have more than 6 of the previous factors