Diagnosis of bone marrow necrosis.

Two cases of bone marrow necrosis (BMN) were diagnosed during life. Both patients developed BMN as a terminal event in the evolution of untreated malignant lymphoma. No earlier cases of BMN in untreated malignant lymphoma are reported in the literature. In one patient necrotic and normal bone marrow were simultaneously obtained from two different aspiration sites, showing the focal nature of the process. BMN itself being reversible, the diagnosis in vivo is important. A better knowledge of the significance of a yellow brown viscous fluid obtained by bone marrow aspiration and the exact interpretation of necrotic bone marrow films are essential to recognition of BMN.