Ward 108

This has been a case of smoldering, hemophagocytic IgGκ myeloma. As indicated in the preceding case (see reference), most hemophagocytic myelomas share this isotype. The reader may be somewhat mystified by the designation MARROW PARTICLES in the latter part of this case.These particles are usually present in post trephine aspirates ( for obvious reasons, it is considered less than astute to aspirate before doing the biopsy ). These particles can be harvested while preparing the concentrate (for buffy smears).They are then washed with saline to remove excess red cells. They can then be sectioned to provide histologic data (such as on cellularity) as shown in this case. Of course particle sections are always devoid of trabeculae- an obvious disadvant-age in terms of loss of structural geography. A major advantage is that particles do not require decalcification. END OF CASE.