[Demonstration of the calcified osseous component in decalcified bone marrow biopsies. Study of hematological cases].

In order to investigate the possibility of the evidentiation of the mineralized component of decalcified bone a series of Jamshidi-type consecutive bone marrow biopsies for various hematological disorders were pre-stained with von Kossa modified procedure for calcium. Methodologically the controls showed reliable silver staining as far as localization (osteo-medullary interface and mineralization front) and preservation (after decalcification) were concerned. The results were: 1) a good morphology of bone marrow tissue also concerning immunohistochemical stainings; 2) a better overview of the osseous components and related artifacts as induced by biopsy, processing and sampling; 3) precise identification of the osteoid seams and remarkably of the relative angle of sectioning for an appropriate measurement; 4) better evidentiation of the remodelling osteoblastic-osteoclastic units; 5) visualization of the osteocytic lacunae and canaliculi and the mineralized matrix to some extent depending on their effective permeability. Summarizing the osteologic features were: normality or minimal abnormality of difficult interpretation; classical osteometabolic alterations; lesions specifically due to hematological disorders; various combination of these findings. Theoretical and practical aspects are discussed. In conclusion this methodological variant in comparison with the usual paraffin procedure clearly gives more information concerning osteometabolic evaluation in routine hematological biopsies; offers a vicarious or complementary approach to osteometabolic diseases; represents a conceptual stimulus to interpret diagnostically and prognostically the osseous pathology as determined by routinely encountered hematological disorders.