Background: Bone Marrow Biopsy is used as an intervention to diagnose certain hematological and systemic diseases as an adjunct to routine laboratory investigations. The procedure includes getting an aspirate and a trephine biopsy. Slides/Smears are prepared from the aspirate and touch imprints along with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H and E) stained sections are prepared from the trephine. Traditionally the slides from the aspirate have been prepared directly (without anticoagulants) and examined along with the trephine biopsy sections to reach a diagnosis. EDTA (Ethylene Diammine Tetra Acetate) preserved specimen can also be used to make slides of the aspirate. Objective: To compare two methods of bone marrow aspirate preparation. Design of study: Randomized controlled trial. Place of study: Department of Pathology, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad Materials and methods: Patients coming to the Department of Pathology for bone marrow biopsy had their samples taken. Half of each sample was used to make direct smears and the other half was preserved in EDTA i.e. the purple top vials. Slides were made at the end of the procedure by the preserved sample and then the two were stained by the same person and procedure (Wright stain) and examined for any differences in quality. SPSS version 21.2 was used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 132 was taken.77 (58.3%) were males and 55(41.7%) were females. 50(37.9%) were adults and 82(62.1%) were children. P–value was found to be 0.81392 which was non-significant proving the fact that the 2 techniques are comparable. Conclusion: EDTA preserved bone marrow aspirate can be used to prepare slides at the end of the whole procedure without compromising the quality of the smears and result interpretation.

Introduction: Retinoblastoma is most common pediatric ocular malignancy. Majority of patients presented with unilateral disease. Infiltration to other organs is common with bone marrow being one of the most common organ involved.Methodology: This study was conducted at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Islamabad for a period of one year. A total of 47 known patients of retinoblastoma were included in study. All patients underwent bone marrow biopsy for evaluation of infiltration.Results: Out of 47 patients, 32 (68.1%) were male and 15 (31.9%) were female (ratio 2.13:1). 37 (78.7%) patients were unilateral and 10 (21.3%) were bilateral. Bone marrow infiltration was present in 14 (29.78%) cases. Conclusion:Bone marrow is among most common sites of involvement in patients with bone marrow biopsy. Distant metastatic involvement has great impact on treatment and overall survival of patients.

To evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of participating entities toward hepatitis B and C to know about prevalence, literacy rate, and socioeconomic status of community people. A baseline survey was conducted to study the awareness, knowledge, and screening in a randomly selected population in different communities. Among common people of age above 16 years, a survey was conducted by filling out data collection forms for 560 individuals according to the plan of work designed. From the data collected, results were keenly analyzed, organized, and arranged in the form of tables for the comparison between the observed awareness about the disease and its screening. The prevalence of hepatitis B was found to be 18 (3.2%), hepatitis C 104 (18.6%), and both positive 17 (3%). It showed the high prevalence of hepatitis C. Out of 560 participants, 275 people (49.1%) knew the term hepatitis. Two hundred twenty-two (39.6%) participants did not know about the signs and symptoms of hepatitis. The descriptive statistics showed that 451 (80.5%) did not know the availability of vaccination against hepatitis B. Three hundred and thirty-six (60%) respondents strongly agreed that hepatitis can cause death. Out of 560 participants, 322 people (57.5%) strongly agreed that blood transfusion from hepatitis patients is the cause of hepatitis. Three hundred and seventy-three (66.6%) participants said that they use filtered plant water. In addition, 480 participants (85.7%) never vaccinated themselves. Chi-square test result (p = 0.004) showed a significant relation in the practice of male and female participants of study. A significant value of chi-square in practice domain of KAP was seen in educational qualification (p = 0.021) with undergraduates having better practice among all other levels of qualification. Current study concluded that people are unaware of the causes, prevention, and treatment of hepatitis B and C. People who are with positive signs and symptoms of hepatitis are reluctant to its long-term treatment. Government must arrange awareness campaigns and screening camps in communities to educate people about the importance of prevention and treatment of the disease.

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