Bone marrow cellularity

Bone marrow - nonneoplastic
Alterations in cellularity
Bone marrow cellularity

Author: Nat Pernick, M.D. (see Authors page)

Revised: 7 July 2017, last major update December 2006

Copyright: (c) 2002-2017, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.

PubMed Search: Bone marrow cellularity [title]

Table of Contents

Definition / general

Cite this page: Bone marrow cellularity. PathologyOutlines.com website. http://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/bonemarrowcellularitygeneral.html. Accessed August 21st, 2017.

Definition / general

Best evaluated on biopsy sections or imprints; particle sections are next best choice
Aspirate smears may be difficult to evaluate but are accurate (Am J Hematol 1986;22:381, Indian J Pathol Microbiol 1989;32:186)
Theoretically could use automated hematology analyzer or flow cytometry (Ann Clin Lab Sci 2004;34:307)
Iliac crest may not be representative if radiotherapy or other local insults
Varies from 80% (children) to 55% (age 30) to < 50% (age 60+)