Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging after bone marrow harvest--a retrospective study in 50 unrelated marrow donors.

A total of 50 unrelated marrow donors were examined by pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate the morphological sequelae of bone marrow harvesting (BMH). Signal increase in T2-weighted sequences and contrast media enhancement in T1 sequences at the operative sites were found as typical MRI morphology 4 weeks after harvest (group A, n=16), corresponding to edema, hyperemia and proliferative activity. Although tissue repair was completed in the majority of donors 1 year after BMH, about 36% of donors in group B (n=16) had abnormal findings. These included a persistence of the 'acute injury' signal pattern (2/16, 12%), and signal alterations due to fatty marrow conversion (4/16, 24%). The proportion of MRI abnormalities increased to over 70% in two-time donors (group C, n=11), which might indicate a cumulation of tissue damage after repetitive harvests. If donors had experienced prolonged discomfort after BMH (group D, n=7), MRI revealed pathological signals in 86%. In conclusion, the MRI morphology reflects the pathophysiological reactions after BMH, including inflammation and tissue repair. A further prospective evaluation in a larger number of donors is necessary to confirm these results and to identify the factors which influence the extent and duration of tissue damage.

Acceptance and feasibility of peripheral stem cell mobilisation compared to bone marrow collection from healthy unrelated donors.

Allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation leads to an earlier engraftment compared to BMT. The feasibility, acceptance and long-term side-effects of G-CSF mobilisation of PBSC in unrelated healthy donors needs to be evaluated. Forty unrelated healthy donors received G-CSF in a dose of 10 microg/kg bodyweight for 5 days and two aphereses were performed. The donors were monitored prospectively. The data were compared to bone marrow harvests from unrelated donors. Almost all stem cell donors reported some side-effects due to Filgrastim application. Bone pain (32), headache (20), chest pain (two) and night sweats (one) were complained of. By taking analgesics, the pain was relieved in most cases. No donor discontinued the filgrastim application. Bone pain and headache resolved within 2-4 days after termination of Filgrastim application. There was, as expected, a seven-fold increase in the number of total WBCs. There were no significant changes of platelet counts during G-CSF application. After 4 weeks haemoglobin concentration and platelet counts showed no significant differences compared to baseline values. The aphereses were mostly tolerated very well. Eighteen donors reported paraesthesia, one donor developed dizziness, two complained of nausea and vomiting. There was a significant decrease in platelet count (242 before, 98 x 10(9)/l after aphereses). Autologous platelets were transfused after the second aphereses in four donors. These data were compared to data from 245 unrelated bone marrow donors, who had on average, 14 days bone pain and tiredness after donation. The G-CSF mobilisation and apheresis of peripheral blood stem cells is an alternative to traditional bone marrow harvesting in unrelated healthy donors. It is well tolerated and the duration of side-effects on average is shorter than after the surgical procedure. So far no long-term effects have been observed in the follow-up.