[Histonet] bone marrow aspirations

[Cathy]

We are using a similar method at our site.  The aspirate is placed into EDTA
and then into formalin to fix.  We pour the aspirate through a biopsy bag,
open the bag and scrape the spicules together, transfer them to another
biopsy bag and process as usual.  I have received several compliments on the
quality of the slides.

Cathy
Kelowna, B.C.

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Shea's
Sent: Saturday, June 1, 2013 4:26 PM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] bone marrow aspirations

I am also interested in how others are processing bone marrow aspirates.
Currently, we let the aspirate clot on a watch glass for about 20 minutes,
gentle slide it onto filter paper, roll it around to get rid of the excess
fluid, place the clot between sponges, and process as usual.
However, I am interested in knowing if any one out there is using a
technique that we use to use at another hospital 33 years ago.
 If I remember correctly, the pathologist or oncologist would collect the
aspirate using a heparin syringe. Some how, the aspirate smears for
Hematology were made on 22x22 cover slips instead of slides. Then the EDTA
tube was then given to Histology. I can't remember if we added formalin or
B5 fixative to it at that time, but it was filtered into an obex tea bag
type filter paper (The blood never clotted and ran through the filter paper,
leaving only bone marrow spicules in the paper).  We would fold the paper,
place it in the cassette, and process as usual. The pathologist preferred
this method because he wouldn't have to look at levels of clot to find
spicules.  Is there anyone out there using this method? 
Jan
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