Megakaryocytic Alterations in Thrombocytopenia: A Bone Marrow Aspiration Study

Background: Thrombocytopenia is defined as platelet count less than 150,000 /mm3 (150x109 /litre) and is commonly encountered in various haematological disorders. It can either be isolated or seen in association with bicytopenia or pancytopenia at most instances it requires bone marrow study which can be helpful in differentiating the hypoproliferative causes from peripheral destruction of platelets. Dysplastic changes in Megakaryocytes are well studied in thrombocytopenia cases associated with MDS. Many non-myelodysplastic haematological conditions can also cause thrombocytopenia and they too can cause dyspastic changes in megakaryocytes. Objective: This study is undertaken for better understanding of dysplastic megakaryocytic alterations and their contribution to thrombocytopenia in non-myelodysplastic haematological conditions so as to increase diagnostic accuracy. Materials and Methods: A prospective study. Total of 79 cases were studied. Patients presenting with platelet count