Diagnostic use of cytologic examination of bone marrow from dogs with thrombocytopenia: 58 cases (1994-2004).
OBJECTIVE
To determine the diagnostic use of cytologic examination of bone marrow from dogs with thrombocytopenia.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
58 dogs with thrombocytopenia.


METHODS
Medical records were searched and reviewed for dogs with thrombocytopenia. Dogs that had thrombocytopenia and cytologic examination of bone marrow were included in the study. Dogs with other hematologic abnormalities, with a previous diagnosis of hematopoietic neoplasia, or that had previous treatment with cytotoxic drugs were excluded. Bone marrow cytologic findings were reviewed. Results were compared between dogs with severe thrombocytopenia (< 20,000 platelets/microL) and dogs with mild to moderate thrombocytopenia (20,000 to 200,000 platelets/microL).


RESULTS
58 dogs met the inclusion criteria. Of 55 dogs with diagnostic bone marrow aspirates, 36 had severe thrombocytopenia. Cytologic evaluation of bone marrow did not reveal substantial nonmegakaryocytic bone marrow abnormalities or result in a definitive diagnosis in any of these dogs. Nineteen dogs with mild to moderate thrombocytopenia had diagnostic bone marrow aspirates. Bone marrow cytologic findings revealed nonmegakaryocytic abnormalities in 4 of these dogs. Significantly fewer dogs with severe thrombocytopenia had abnormalities identified on cytologic examination of bone marrow, compared with dogs with mild to moderate thrombocytopenia.


CONCLUSIONS
Cytologic examination of bone marrow is unlikely to provide specific diagnostic or prognostic information in dogs with severe thrombocytopenia.
Miller
Matthew D
MD
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
Lunn
Katharine F
KF
D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000473:pathology*; D003584:Cytological Techniques / Q000662:veterinary*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*