Test Includes: Wright stained smears and imprints, histopathology, and special procedures if needed (histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, cytogenetics, molecular studies).
Availability: Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00, Sat, 08:00–12:00; Pathologist on call at all times for consultation.
Special Instructions: Appropriate clinical history is essential to an appropriate interpretation and should be submitted with the specimen.
Analytic Time: 2 to 10 days depending on ancillary studies.
Specimen: 1 cm core of bone marrow. 2-5 mL aspirate. Submit peripheral blood smear with recent CBC if applicable.
Container: Core — buffered formalin; marrow aspirate — half in lavender EDTA tube and half in green heparin tube. If an infection is suspected, submit a portion of the aspirate in a sterile container to microbiology.
Causes for Rejection: Unlabeled specimen. Insufficient demographic or clinical information for processing.
Interpretation: Results interpreted by hematopathologists.
Special Studies: Specify if special stains, cytogenetics, or molecular studies are needed. Gross and microscopic photo images are available on request (PDF reports available through Atlas Medical web reporting).