[Jamshidi biopsy in clinical hematology. Method, indications and results of over 1,000 completed biopsies with special reference to chronic myeloproliferative diseases].

One thousand and five bone marrow biopsies were performed in patients with haematologic or oncologic disorders during a ten year period from 1976 to 1985 according to the method of Jamshidi and Swaim. Indications and method of biopsy are discussed in detail. Major side effects were not observed, however minor accidents (0.2%) as well as problems in yielding biopsy-material (1.6%) are reported. The rate of biopsy-failure, including biopsies with insufficient (crushed) material, was 5%. In our hands the predominant value of the Jamshidi-biopsy for diagnosis of hematologic disorders is given by the following reasons: Bone marrow histology gives a more detailed architectural picture than cytologic smears. Sampling of bone marrow for both methods (cytology and histology) through the same instrument is possible. The procedure is easily performed and gives the patient no more discomfort than a simple sternal puncture. Chronic myeloproliferative disorders (CMPD, 31%), malignant lymphomas (40%) and aplastic (hypoplastic) syndromes (4%) were the most frequent indications for bone marrow biopsy. Clinical and histological findings were compared in 235 patients with CMPD. The histological defined entity of chronic megacaryocytic-granulocytic myelosis could be differentiated easily from chronic granulocytic leukemia (CGL), however it was not always distinguishable from primary thrombocythemia by means of clinical and hematological criteria. Myelofibroses on the basis of CGL were separated from idiopathic or postpolycythemic fibroses by hematological findings. The diagnostic value of bone marrow biopsies was superior to cytology in all CMPD and proved to be an essential diagnostic method in cases with high platelet count. Marrow involvement was found in 59% of 218 previously untreated patients with non Hodgkin's lymphomas and in 9% of 123 patients with Hodgkin's disease. Jamshidi-biopsy proved to be a simple and indispensable procedure in staging of Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.