title: Elevated bone marrow acid phosphatase: the problem of false positives.
abstract: Bone marrow acid phosphatase values were studied in 24 patients (12 men and 12 women) selected at random, including 6 at autopsy. False positive results were noted in 8 of the 18 patients who were alive and in all 6 patients studied at autopsy. The possible causes for these falsely elevated results are discussed. The bone marrow acid phosphatase is a test of poor specificity and should not be used as the sole test on which vital decisions regarding management of the patient are based.
mesh_terms: D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000032:analysis*; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000201:enzymology*; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology*
chemical_list: D000135:Acid Phosphatase