Touch preparations should be prepared by repeatedly touching the biopsy specimen to glass slides and exerting a gentle downward pressure. A rotary or smearing motion should be avoided since rupture and destruction of cells will result. Submit the bone biopsy and the marrow clot in separate bags containing Formalin. Submit all the samples and the requisition in one box, but protect the blood samples and the slides from the formalin specimens by packaging them separately within the box. If the smears are exposed to formalin vapors, they will be essentially unreadable.
Clinical history is extremely important and can influence interpretation.
Please include history and indication for marrow examination.