From the Research
For bone marrow biopsy transport to the laboratory for histopathological studies, acetic acid-zinc-formalin fixative is the recommended medium, as it provides excellent morphology with good antigen, DNA, and RNA preservation, as demonstrated in the Hammersmith Protocol 1. The specimen should be placed immediately into a container with sufficient fixative to completely submerge the tissue.
- This fixative preserves cellular morphology and tissue architecture, which is essential for accurate histopathological assessment.
- For molecular studies or cytogenetic analysis, a portion of the specimen may need to be transported in specialized transport media or as a fresh specimen in sterile saline.
- The container should be properly labeled with patient information, date and time of collection, and the specific site of biopsy.
- Prompt delivery to the laboratory is important, as delayed fixation can lead to autolysis and compromise diagnostic accuracy.
- If transport will be delayed, the specimen should remain in the recommended fixative, as this will continue the fixation process and preserve tissue integrity. The most recent and highest quality study, which is from 2020, evaluated the use of modified Bouin's solution for bone marrow preparations and found it to be effective in preserving cell and tissue integrity 2. However, the study that specifically addresses the transport medium for bone marrow biopsy is the one from 2006, which recommends the use of acetic acid-zinc-formalin fixative 1.
- Key considerations for the transport medium include its ability to preserve cellular morphology, tissue architecture, and genetic material.
- The use of acetic acid-zinc-formalin fixative has been shown to provide excellent results in these areas, making it the recommended choice for bone marrow biopsy transport.