Challenges Encountered and Pattern-Based Analysis of Bone Marrow Biopsy in Lymphomas: An Institutional Experience

Objective  The evaluation of bone marrow (BM) status is an integral part of the initial workup of patients diagnosed with lymphoma as it plays an important role in staging and predicting prognosis in these patients. This article determines the incidence and pattern of BM involvement in lymphoma cases and distinguishes benign from malignant lymphoid aggregates in BM biopsies. Materials and Methods  The study group included 121 cases of Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas for which BM biopsies were performed, fixed in acetic acid-zinc formalin solution, decalcified using 10% formic acid, and subjected to hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemistry. Results  The overall incidence of BM biopsy involvement in our study was 31.4% (37/118), including 34.7% (35/101) in cases of B cell lymphomas, 25% (2/8) in cases of T cell lymphomas, and no involvement in Hodgkin lymphoma. The predominant histological pattern of BM involvement was diffused (14/37; 37.8%), followed by interstitial (10/37; 27.1%). Five cases revealed benign nonparatrabecular lymphoid aggregates which could be confused with lymphomatous involvement, especially in low grade lymphomas. Conclusion  A careful examination of the BM biopsies along with clinical history, peripheral blood examination, flow cytometry, and immunohistochemistry will help in arriving at the correct diagnosis.