RT - Journal TY - JOUR A1 - Vinayakamurthy, Shashikala A1 - Potluri, Rojaramani A1 - Shivajirao, Prathima A1 - Singh, Rekha A1 - Pujahari, Rajalaxmi A1 - Maniketh, Indu T1 - A study of megakaryocyte morphology in bone marrow aspiration smears of cases of thrombocytopenia YR - 2017/1/1 JF - Medical Journal of Dr. D.Y. Patil University JO - Med J DY Patil Univ SP - 51 OP - 57 VO - 10 IS - 1 UL - https://journals.lww.com/mjdy/pages/default.aspx/article.asp?issn=0975-2870;year=2017;volume=10;issue=1;spage=51;epage=57;aulast=Vinayakamurthy;t=5 DO - 10.4103/0975-2870.197922 N2 - Background: Thrombocytopenia may be encountered in various hematological and nonhematological conditions and may be associated with dysplastic megakaryocytes which is a feature of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), even though they can be observed in non-MDS hematological conditions. Objective: To study the morphological variations of megakaryocytes on bone marrow aspiration smears in non-MDS-related thrombocytopenia in a Medical College in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Materials and Methods: It was a prospective study of 86 cases of non-MDS thrombocytopenia whose bone marrow aspirates were studied morphologically. Results: The most common cause of thrombocytopenia was acute leukemia followed by other systemic malignancies, megaloblastic anemia, and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Both dysplastic and nondysplastic features were observed in the above-mentioned conditions. The most common dysplastic feature was nuclear segmentation followed by micromegakaryocytes and hypogranular forms. Among nondysplastic features, the most common were immature forms, bare nuclei, and hypolobation. Emperipolesis and cytoplasmic vacuoles were noted in a case of pyrexia of unknown origin. Conclusion: Dysplastic megakaryocytes are common in non-MDS-related thrombocytopenia and their mere presence should not lead to the diagnosis of MDS. Hence, proper diagnosis should be made on megakaryocyte morphology, patient's clinical findings, and other hematological parameters. This understanding can improve the diagnostic accuracy for wide range of hematological disorders. ER -