Diagnostic Outcomes of Bone Marrow Aspirations at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital: A Ten Year Retrospective Study

Abstract

Introduction: Bone marrow aspiration is an established procedure for the diagnosis and management of a wide range of haematological and non-haematological conditions worldwide. The main aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic outcome of bone marrow aspiration at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study carried out between between 1st January 2016 and 31st December 2025 at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. One hundred and fifty (150) bone marrow aspirations were done at our facility within the study period. Data were obtained from the Medical Records Department, haematology day-care clinic attendance register, the admission/discharge register, death register and the Cancer Registry. All data were recorded in Microsoft Excel 2016 and analyzed using SPSS version 27. Results: One hundred and fifty (150) bone marrow aspirations were done at our facility within the study period with a Mean age ± SD of   41.37 ± 22.60. Total number of male participants were 80 (53.3%) while females were 70 (46.7%).  Majority of our patients were aged above 41-65 years (38.7%) followed by the less than 18 years group 36(24%) while the least group were the greater than 60 years age group were the least (22, 14.7%). The most common indications for bone marrow aspiration was recurrent anaemia (45, 30%) followed by recurrent bone pain (35, 23%), while others were as mentioned in Fig. 1. The overall commonest diagnosis by BMA was multiple myeloma (38, 25.4%) followed by Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (26.17.3%), Acute myeloid leukaemia (23, 15.3%) and nutritional anaemia (16, 10.7%). Conclusion: Bone marrow aspiration is an established procedure for the diagnosis and management of a wide range of haematological and some non-haematological conditions worldwide. Multiple myeloma was the most common diagnostic findings among patients undergoing BMA in our study followed by acute leukaemia. This study will may guide physicians in decision making regarding areas where further complimentary investigations should be channeled.