Bone marrow biopsy
In a typical ITP patient, the cellularity of the overall bone marrow appears normal, with normal erythropoiesis and myelopoiesis.2 Megakaryocytes may be smaller than normal, but they are present in normal or even increased numbers.3
| An example of a small, mature megakaryocyte in the marrow of an ITP patient. In ITP, megakaryocytes may be smaller and may be damaged by autoantibodies.3,4 |
References
2. Jubelirer SJ, Harpold R. The role of the bone marrow examination in the diagnosis of immune thrombocytopenic purpura: case series and literature review. Clin Appl Thromb Hemost. 2002;8:73-76.
3. Gernsheimer T. Pathophysiology and thrombokinetics in autoimmune thrombocytopenia. Blood Rev. 2002;16:7-8.
4. Houwerzijl EJ, Blom NR, van der Want JJL, et al. Ultrastructural study shows morphologic features of apoptosis and para-apoptosis in megakaryocytes from patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Blood. 2004;103:500-506.
