Myelodysplastic syndrome other diagnostic studies

Bone marrow biopsy
Bone marrow examination by an experienced hematopathologist. This is required to establish the diagnosis, since all hematopathologists recognize a dysplastic marrow as the key feature of myelodysplasia.

Cytogenetics
Cytogenetics or chromosomal studies. This is ideally performed on the bone marrow aspirate. These require a fresh specimen, since live cells are induced to enter metaphase to enhance chromosomal staining.

Flow cytometry
Flow cytometry is helpful to establish the presence of any lymphoproliferative disorder in the marrow