The challenging task of enumerating blasts in the bone marrow

Enumeration of blasts in the bone marrow is critical for diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic response evaluation in myelodysplastic syndromes, myeloproliferative neoplasms and acute leukemias. However, few studies have examined the accuracy and precision of marrow blast counting using standard microscopic procedures. In our study, four experienced hematopathologists evaluated blast percentages in marrow using either differential counts on aspirate smears or visual estimates on CD34-stained trephine biopsies.
Source: Seminars in Hematology - Category: Hematology Authors: Source Type: research