Bone marrow leukemias and lymphoproliferative disorders: scanning electron microscope diagnosis.

ABSTRACT

This work considers the primary diagnosis of bone marrow leukemias and lymphoproliferative disorders by using the scanning electron microscope (SEM). A total of 14 cases are studied, including 2 demonstrating bone marrow hyperplasia only. The utility of employing the ordinary pathology glass microslide with routine stain is emphasized, as well as certain capabilities of the SEM, including backscattered electron image, secondary electron image, and measurement program. Bone marrow hyperplasias, myeloid leukemias, and lymphoproliferative disorders are analyzed by comparing specific ultrastructural features, such as cell sizes, nuclear chromatin configuration and composition, nucleoli, nuclear contour, and cytoplasmic constituents, including granule population with sizes of such granules. These features set apart the common bone marrow neoplasms and can be a determinant in case diagnosis.