[Bone marrow biopsy investigation: an important prognostic factor in aplastic anaemia (author's transl)].

In thirty-five patients with aplastic anaemia initial bone marrow biopsy investigations were performed. 25 patients showed partial bone marrow aplasia whereas in ten patients complete myeloid aplasia could be demonstrated. Probability of survival was approximately ten times higher in patients with partial than in patients with complete bone marrow aplasia. The results of bone marrow biopsy investigations had a greater predictive value than the degree of diminution of single cellular blood components. Initial bone marrow biopsy investigation facilitates the selection of poor risk patients who should be treated by bone marrow transplantation rather than by conventional therapy.