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Updated: May 4, 2026
Database-guided Flow-cytometry for Evaluation of Bone Marrow Myeloid Cell Maturation
Published on: November 3, 2018
Limited flow cytometry panels on bone marrow specimens reduce costs and predict negative cytogenetics
Douglas G Hoffmann1, Burton H Kim
1Dept of Pathology, Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, 677 Church St, Marietta, GA 30060; douglas.hoffmann@wellstar.org.
Objectives:
To determine the clinical and financial impact and predictive value of a limited flow cytometry strategy in the evaluation of bone marrow specimens.
Methods:
Consecutive bone marrow cases (n = 1,242) were reviewed following the independent, prospective application of two flow cytometry protocols: a limited marker strategy and a multimarker strategy. Combined morphologic and flow cytometry findings were also compared with cytogenetic results.
Results:
A limited flow cytometry strategy did not have a negative impact on disease detection and resulted in reduced utilization and cost. In addition, negative combined morphology and flow cytometry had a 98.4% predictive value for negative cytogenetics (P < .001).
Conclusions:
Careful initial evaluation of bone marrow specimens can markedly reduce the costs of bone marrow examination and significantly reduce the need for flow cytometric and cytogenetic studies on these samples.
