Clinical observations of human bone marrow macrophages

Although human bone marrow is usually obtained to examine precursors of formed elements of blood, important diagnostic information can be gleaned from study of macrophages. These cells are usually unnoticed. Macrophages may be involved in a number of different pathophysiologic mechanisms which are pointed out in this clinical and pictorial study. Inherited enzymatic deficiencies usually result in "storage cells" as exemplified by Gaucher disease. Relative deficiencies may be acquired if phagocytic activity overcomes normal enzymatic mechanisms.