BONE-MARROW BIOPSY IMPRINTS (TOUCH PREPARATIONS) FOR ASSESSMENT OF IRON STORES

Noninvasive evaluation for iron deficiency is compromised in many indi viduals due to the presence of chronic inflammatory processes and/or m alignancy, thus necessitating bone marrow examination for definitive d iagnosis, However, bone marrow aspiration is not obtainable or is inad equate for interpretation (dry tap) in some individuals, and decalcifi ed bone marrow biopsies require 24-48 hr to prepare, and may falsely i ndicate absence of iron, We evaluated the accuracy of bone marrow biop sy imprints (touch preparations) compared with aspirate particle smear s for semiquantitation of bone marrow iron stores, Results indicate th at Prussian blue-stained bone marrow biopsy imprints accurately reflec t the quantity of iron, compared with bone marrow aspirate particle sm ears, allowing for rapid determination of iron stores in individuals i n whom a bone marrow aspirate cannot be obtained. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.