[Bone marrow histology of cytopenias : Contribution to hematological differential diagnosis]

Besides microscopic evaluation of smears, flow cytometric analysis, chromosomal and molecular studies, histological analysis of bone marrow biopsies (BMbx) is an important component of multiparameter diagnostics of cytopenias in hematology. More than in other fields of histopathology, correct interpretation of BMbx requires correlation with the results of these further studies and other clinical findings. Microcytic, normocytic and macrocytic anemia, isolated granulocytopenia and thromobocytopenia as well as pancytopenia represent frequent and recurrent diseases. With regard to aetiology, reactive and neoplastic causes must be differentiated. Reactive causes of cytopenia include substrate deficiencies, enhanced turn over and loss, and inflammatory processes. Neoplastic disorders with the exception of myeloproliferative neoplasms generally manifest as cytopenia and comprise myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and lymphoma.