Diagnostic value of bone marrow examination in isolated thrombocytopenia

Bone marrow examination often is performed to assess isolated thrombocytopenia. A three-year retrospective study demonstrates that bone marrow aspiration in isolated thrombocytopenia predictably shows megakaryocytic thrombocytopenia. Little additional information is obtained by bone marrow examination that cannot be determined by noninvasive tests. In this series, the Jamshidi biopsy did not add significant information to that obtained from the aspirate. The authors conclude that bone marrow examination is not necessary in patients with isolated thrombocytopenia. In acute care hospital patients, the cause of the thrombocytopenia usually is apparent from the clinical history, and bone marrow examination is necessary infrequently.