Selective hypoplasia of pelvic bone marrow

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Bone Marrow Pathology

Background:

• Thrombocytopenia and anemia can present with varied bone marrow findings.
• Iliac crest bone marrow biopsy is a common diagnostic procedure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the cause of fatty marrow replacement in the iliac crest in patients with thrombocytopenia and anemia.
• To assess bone marrow distribution and cellularity in affected patients.

Main Methods:

• Utilized 52Fe scans to evaluate radioiron uptake and bone marrow distribution.
• Conducted bone marrow studies including cytology, histology, and electron microscopy.
• Performed ferrokinetic studies to assess erythroid marrow function.

Main Results:

• Observed fatty marrow replacement at the iliac crest in 6 patients with thrombocytopenia and anemia.
• 52Fe scans revealed abnormal bone marrow distribution with significantly reduced radioiron uptake in the pelvis.
• Bone marrow studies failed to identify a definitive cause for pelvic marrow aplasia, though minor maturation abnormalities were noted.

Conclusions:

• Pelvic bone marrow may be particularly susceptible to aplasia.
• Sternal bone marrow cellularity may not accurately reflect the cellularity of the entire bone marrow in cases of pancytopenia.