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Bone Marrow Biopsy Needle

Bone Marrow Biopsy Procedure.
Pt is usually given some sedation and
some local anesthetic medicine.

After the Bone Marrow Procedure a
Small Band Aid is left on the patient.
Why is a Bone Marrow Done?
Examination of the bone marrow is the most valuable diagnostic test to evaluate
hematologic disorders. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy also is used to stage
lymphoproliferative disorders and for prognostic purposes in chronic
lymphoproliferative disorders such as chronic lymphatic leukemia.

Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy also is useful in the diagnostic workup of fever
of unknown origin (FUO). It may reveal infections, such as tuberculosis,
Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (MAI) infections, histoplasmosis, leishmaniasis,
and other disseminated fungal infections. It may be useful in establishing the
diagnosis of storage diseases, such as Niemann-Pick disease and Gaucher
disease. Finally, it can be a valuable tool in diagnosing metastatic nonhemopoietic
malignancies that have spread to the bone marrow when all other imaging and
diagnostic modalities have failed or when a leucoerythroblastic peripheral blood
picture is present.

Bone Marrow Biopsy Technique
Proper technique is required to obtain an adequate sample and a suitable specimen
for processing.

The pathology request should contain all the pertinent clinical information and
laboratory data. Obtaining informed consent and providing information regarding
the procedure will minimize any apprehension that the patient may have, as will
talking to the patient during each step of the bone marrow aspiration and biopsy.

Bone Marrow Biopsy Complications
Complications from a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy include infection and
bleeding. With proper sterile atraumatic technique these complications are rare.

Absolute contraindications to performing the procedure include hemophilia or
related coagulation disorders and infection involving the biopsy area.
Thrombocytopenia is not a contraindication, but take care to avoid trauma that is
more significant than usual.

Another very rare complication from the procedure is cardiac injury after a sternal
bone marrow aspiration, which can be prevented with good technique and by using
the guard provided with the bone marrow aspiration needle to avoid deep
penetration. Biopsies never should be obtained from the sternum; only aspiration is
performed in that area. Iliac bone perforation and hemorrhage may occur because
of improper technique and patient positioning.

Chronic pain at the site of the bone marrow aspiration and biopsy is very rare.