Bone marrow is the soft tissue inside bones that helps form blood cells. It is found in the hollow part of most bones. Bone marrow aspiration is the removal of a small amount of this tissue in liquid form for examination.
See also:
Alternative NamesIliac crest tap; Sternal tap
How the test is performedBone marrow aspiration may be done in the health care provider's office or in a hospital. The bone marrow will be removed from your pelvic or breast bone. Occasionally, another bone is selected.
The health care provider will clean the skin and apply a numbing medicine (local anesthesia) to the area and surface of the bone. Next, a special needle is inserted into the bone. The needle has a tube attached to it, which creates suction. A small sample of bone marrow fluid flows into the tube. The needle is removed.
A laboratory specialist looks at the bone marrow fluid under a microscope.
How to prepare for the testTell the health care provider:
You must sign a consent form for the procedure.
How the test will feelYou will feel a sting and slight burning sensation when the numbing medicine is applied. You may feel pressure as the needle is inserted into the bone, and a sharp and sometimes painful sucking sensation as the marrow is removed. This feeling lasts for only a few moments.
On rare occasions, patients are given medicine to help them relax.
Why the test is performedYour doctor may order this test if you have abnormal types or numbers of red or white blood cells or platelets on a complete blood count. This test is used to diagnose:
It may help determine whether cancers have spread or responded to treatment.
Normal ValuesThe bone marrow should contain the proper number and types of:
Abnormal results may be due to:
There may be some bleeding at the puncture site. More serious risks, such as serious bleeding or infection, are very rare.
Special considerationsThis test is often performed when there are problems with various types of blood cells. The person may be at increased risk for bleeding, infection, or other problems.
ReferencesHoffman R, Benz EJ, Shattil SS, et al. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2008.
Ohls RK, Christensen RD. Development of the hematopoietic system. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap.446.
Quesenberry PJ. Hematopoiesis and hematopoietic growth factors. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 160.
The main equipment used in bone marrow aspiration includes a syringe, a needle, local anesthesia, and possibly a biopsy needle to obtain a sample of bone marrow from the hip bone or breastbone. The samples are then analyzed in a laboratory to diagnose various blood disorders and cancers.
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A bone marrow aspiration is a procedure done to take a sample of bone marrow for examination or testing. Typically, this is done from the posterior iliac spine. Unfortunately, it is a painful procedure.
Lymphoma.
Healthy adult bone marrow contains yellow fat cells, connective tissue, and red marrow that produces blood. The bone marrow of a healthy infant is primarily red due to active production of red cells necessary for growth.
Aspiration is when some fluid is removed from a part of the body. For this procedure it is the removal of a small sample of bone marrow to examine under the microscope or to be tested in other ways.
The most informative test for Leukemia is a Bone Marrow Aspiration. A needle is inserted into the pelvic bone and a sample of bone marrow is extracted (aspirated) . That sample is sent to a laboratory and is looked at under a microscope to look for bad blood cells and other signs of leukemia.
This procedure is known as a bone marrow biopsy - A needle puncture to obtain a sample of bone marrow, usually from the ilium, for study; used to diagnose, stage, and monitor disease and condition of the blood cells
There is yellow bone marrow and red bone marrow.
it is a bone that has a marrow in the middle of the musle that causes the bone to have a marrow biopsy
Bone marrow.
They are not made up of bone marrow, they just have bone marrow in them.