The accuracy of 111InCl3 as a bone marrow scanning agent

The number of normal cellular elements present in bone marrow biopsies was compared to the extent of uptake at corresponding sites on 111InCl3 bone marrow scans in 87 patients with malignant lymphoma. Of the biopsies free of tumor, 49/54 interpreted as normocellular and 16/17 hypocellular or aplastic confirmed the scan interpretation. Of the biopsies demonstrating tumor, 10/11 of those interpreted as normocellular and 14/15 hypocellular or aplastic confirmed the scan interpretation. The 111InCl3 bone marrow scan is accurate in depicting the presence or absence of normal marrow elements, but is of value in detecting tumor only when the normal elements are extensively replaced.