Indication for trephine biopsy

Definite indications

Investigation of suspected Hodgkin’s disease and

non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Staging of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Diagnosis and follow up of hairy cell leukaemia

Evaluation and follow up of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Diagnosis of suspected metastatic carcinoma

Diagnosis, staging, and follow up of small cell tumours of childhood

Investigation of suspected myeloproliferative disorders (polycythaemia rubra vera, essential thrombocythaemia,

Idiopathic myelofibrosis, and systemic mastocytosis)

Diagnosis of aplastic anaemia, hypoplastic myelodysplastic syndromes, and hypoplastic acute myeloid leukaemia

Investigation of an unexplained leucoerythroblastic blood film

Investigation of a fever of unknown origin

Investigation of suspected bone disease

Evaluation of any patient in whom an adequate bone marrow aspirate cannot be obtained

Investigation of patients in whom multiple myeloma is suspected and investigation of selected patients with serum

paraproteins without other evidence of multiple myeloma

Possible indications

Investigation of suspected acute myeloid leukaemia

Investigation of suspected myelodysplastic syndrome

Staging of Hodgkin’s disease

Evaluation of chronic myeloid (granulocytic) leukaemia

Investigation of suspected primary amyloidosis