What is a Bone Marrow?
Bone marrow is located in some of the flat bones of the body such as the breast bone and the pelvic bone. It is the site where many of the circulating blood cells in the body (red cells, white cells and platelets) are made. It can give us important information about disorders of these blood cells.
• The bone marrow biopsy is used to determine the cause of abnormalities noted within the blood. Samples may be taken to:
- Detect any abnormal cells.
- See if the bone marrow is making new cells properly.
- Determine how far certain blood diseases have progressed.
- Assess the effect of treatment on the bone marrow including to see if any previously abnormal cells have gone.
At present there are no alternatives. This is a test required to make a diagnosis of a bone marrow disorder
Samples are usually taken from the back of the pelvis bone at the hip. We would ask you to lie on your side and lower your clothes at the waist to allow access to the hip bone. Local anaesthetic is given to numb the area. A needle is inserted and samples are taken. The procedure can cause an unpleasant feeling of pressure, discomfort or a dull pain as the samples are taken but this is a temporary sensation. The procedure is usually done as an outpatient by either an Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Specialist Nurse or a Doctor who has undertaken specific training for the procedure. The room is quite small so unfortunately friends or relatives can not stay with you.
The procedure itself may be uncomfortable as the needle enters the bone marrow cavity but this is a temporary sensation. Bleeding and bruising may occur. Very rarely, bleeding may occur which may require a blood transfusion. There is a very small risk of local infection occurring. The procedure is undertaken in a sterile manner and the site will be covered with a sterile dressing.
You may eat and drink as normal before and after the test. You may need a blood test before the procedure to make sure your blood will clot, your Doctor will arrange this. If you are on any type of blood thinning medication such as apixiban, clopidogrel or warfarin you Doctor will recommend you stop this for a specific amount of time before the procedure.
After the procedure
You may have some discomfort or bruising for a few days which you can ease by taking some simple painkillers. You will be given some aftercare advice and told when the dressing can be removed.
