TY - JOUR
T1 - Persistent localized bone marrow aplasia after radiotherapy with preserved peripheral counts
T2 - a study of 8 cases
AU - Harrington, Alexandra M.
AU - Currey, Adam
AU - Olteanu, Horatiu
AU - Kroft, Steven H.
PY - 2010/6
Y1 - 2010/6
N2 - Localized, radiation (XRT)-induced sternal bone marrow (BM) aplasia was described in early studies in the radiation oncology literature; however, no pathologic studies have examined in detail this phenomenon in random iliac crest biopsies and its relationship to overall hematopoiesis. We retrospectively reviewed aplastic iliac crest BMs with discrepant peripheral blood (PB) counts after localized pelvic XRT. BM aplasia was defined as 5% or less cellularity in an adequate biopsy and/or hypocellular particles on aspirate smears. Discrepant PB counts were defined as either within or higher than normal limits or mild cytopenias. Eight patients with BM aplasia and discrepant PB counts were identified; each had received localized XRT to the sacrum, lumbar spine, or pelvis. Aplastic BMs showed replacement by mature fat and/or virtually acellular spicules. One case showed focal reticulin fibrosis. Mild cytopenias were seen in 6 cases and normal or increased counts in one case each. Aplastic BMs were observed 5 to 43 months after XRT. A myeloproliferative neoplasm was diagnosed in one case based on PB findings and JAK-2 mutation, despite BM aplasia. In one case, a right-sided aplastic BM, diagnosed 8 months after XRT, was followed 14 months later by a normocellular right aspirate and aplastic left BM biopsy. Prolonged, localized BM sterilization may be seen as a result of XRT to the iliac crest for several years. In the setting of preserved PB counts, this is not likely representative of overall hematopoiesis and serves as a potential diagnostic pitfall. Regeneration of hematopoietic activity at exposed sites may be possible.
AB - Localized, radiation (XRT)-induced sternal bone marrow (BM) aplasia was described in early studies in the radiation oncology literature; however, no pathologic studies have examined in detail this phenomenon in random iliac crest biopsies and its relationship to overall hematopoiesis. We retrospectively reviewed aplastic iliac crest BMs with discrepant peripheral blood (PB) counts after localized pelvic XRT. BM aplasia was defined as 5% or less cellularity in an adequate biopsy and/or hypocellular particles on aspirate smears. Discrepant PB counts were defined as either within or higher than normal limits or mild cytopenias. Eight patients with BM aplasia and discrepant PB counts were identified; each had received localized XRT to the sacrum, lumbar spine, or pelvis. Aplastic BMs showed replacement by mature fat and/or virtually acellular spicules. One case showed focal reticulin fibrosis. Mild cytopenias were seen in 6 cases and normal or increased counts in one case each. Aplastic BMs were observed 5 to 43 months after XRT. A myeloproliferative neoplasm was diagnosed in one case based on PB findings and JAK-2 mutation, despite BM aplasia. In one case, a right-sided aplastic BM, diagnosed 8 months after XRT, was followed 14 months later by a normocellular right aspirate and aplastic left BM biopsy. Prolonged, localized BM sterilization may be seen as a result of XRT to the iliac crest for several years. In the setting of preserved PB counts, this is not likely representative of overall hematopoiesis and serves as a potential diagnostic pitfall. Regeneration of hematopoietic activity at exposed sites may be possible.
KW - Bone marrow aplasia
KW - Iliac crest biopsy
KW - Radiation
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U2 - 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2010.02.006
DO - 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2010.02.006
M3 - Article
C2 - 20471561
AN - SCOPUS:77952107485
SN - 1092-9134
VL - 14
SP - 168
EP - 172
JO - Annals of Diagnostic Pathology
JF - Annals of Diagnostic Pathology
IS - 3
ER -