The significance of 'dry tap' bone marrow aspirations in Zimbabweans

Of the 2880 bone marrow examinations performed in a 3-year period in patients with diverse haematological and oncological disorders, 116(4%) patients exhibited 'dry tap' on routine marrow aspiration. However, when the Jamshidi-Swaim technique of trephine bone marrow biopsy was performed in these patients, the single commonest underlying pathological cause of 'dry tap' was found to be aplastic anaemia which accounted for 56(48.3%) of the cases. The diagnostic potential of the technique and its advantages particularly in a developing country are briefly high-lighted.