AN AUDIT OF LENGTH OF BONE MARROW TREPHINE BIOPSIES AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Authors

  • Saif ur Rehman
  • Lubna Zafar
  • Faiza Kazi
  • Zahur ur Rehman
  • Muhammad Luqman

Abstract

Background: Bone marrow trephine biopsy is a well established minor surgical procedure for the
inspection of bone marrow usually done along with bone marrow aspiration. The objective of this study
was to evaluate the length of trephine biopsies and the rate of positivity for diagnosis as well as unfit
biopsies in various length ranges. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at Fauji
Foundation Hospital and Foundation University Medical College Rawalpindi from Jan 2007 to Dec
2009. A total of 394 trephine biopsy reports were collected and reviewed. The criterion for adequate
trephine biopsy was ‰¥1.5 Cm. The biopsies were divided into four groups according to length, i.e.,
group-1: ‰¥1.5 Cm, group-2: 1-1.4 Cm, group-3: 0.5-0.9 Cm, and group-4: <0.5 Cm. The adequacy of
trephine biopsy length and rate of positive diagnosis as well as unfit biopsies were compared. Results:
Total 394 trephine biopsies were reviewed. Group-1 included 88 biopsies and 87 (98.9%) had positive
diagnosis. Group-2 included 137 biopsies and 133 (97.1%) had positive diagnosis. Group-3 included 99
biopsies and 91 (92%) had positive diagnosis. Group-4 included 70 biopsies and 57 (81.4%) had
positive diagnosis. There was no significant difference between group-1 and group-2 for the rate of
positivity of diagnosis (p=0.65). In group-1, 1 (1.1%) was unfit for evaluation, in group-2, 4 (2.9%)
were unfit, in group-3, 8 (8%) were unfit, and in group-4, 13 (18.5%) were unfit for evaluation. Total
26 trephine biopsies were unfit for evaluation, out of which 13 (50%) belonged to group-4. Trephine
biopsies that were unfit for evaluation were 4 (4.9%) in 2007, 17 (10.5%) in 2008, and 5 (3.3%) in
2009. Conclusion: Although 22.3% biopsies were of recommended length there was no significant
difference in rate of positive diagnosis between biopsies of ‰¥1.5 Cm and 1-1.4 Cm.
Keywords: Audit, Bone marrow trephine biopsy

References

The haematologists should review their technique and

make an attempt to improve adequacy of trephine

biopsy length.

Pathologists should give feedback about inadequacy

of specimen.

The audit should be repeated every year.

J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad 2010;22(4)

http://www.ayubmed.edu.pk/JAMC/PAST/22-4/Saif.pdf 83

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Published

2010-12-01

How to Cite

Rehman, S. ur, Zafar, L., Kazi, F., Rehman, Z. ur, & Luqman, M. (2010). AN AUDIT OF LENGTH OF BONE MARROW TREPHINE BIOPSIES AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL. Journal of Ayub Medical College Abbottabad, 22(4), 81–83. Retrieved from https://demo.ayubmed.edu.pk/jamc/index.php/jamc/article/view/2715

Issue

Vol. 22 No. 4 (2010): JOURNAL OF AYUB MEDICAL COLLEGE, ABBOTTABAD

Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

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