title: [Differentiation of granulomatous lesions in the bone marrow].
abstract: Granulomas are an infrequent finding in bone marrow biopsies and may be associated with a broad spectrum of infectious and non-infectious disorders. In this context sarcoidosis generally reveals the highest incidence of such bone marrow lesions. Other granulomas may be encountered in drug-induced secondary changes (toxic myelopathy) and in particular also in HIV myelopathy. In these cases the granulomas are small, ill-defined and difficult to recognize. Special staining methods are required to detect microorganisms. Fibrin ring granulomas (doughnut granulomas) are typical for Q-fever, but may also be seen in reactive conditions, after drug therapy and in the course of other infectious disorders, such as Lyme disease. Therefore a broad serological testing should be performed. In conclusion, in most cases the morphological findings in the bone marrow are not specific so that a synoptical approach regarding histological, clinical and serological data is warranted to reach the correct diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Zentrum für Pathologie, der Universität zu Köln, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 9, 50924 Köln, Germany. hm.kvasnicka@uni-koeln.de
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Kvasnicka
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thiele
mesh_terms: D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006099:Granuloma / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology*; D006105:Granulomatous Disease, Chronic / Q000473:pathology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000473:pathology; D011778:Q Fever / Q000473:pathology