What It Is
Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy are procedures used to obtain a sample of bone marrow, the soft tissue inside certain bones responsible for producing blood cells, for closer examination.
What It Checks
These procedures allow direct examination of bone marrow tissue and the blood cells developing within it, which can reveal information about how well the marrow is functioning and whether abnormal cells are present, relevant to diagnosing and monitoring various blood-related conditions.
Why It's Used
Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy are commonly used to investigate unexplained abnormalities found on blood tests, such as significantly low blood cell counts, and to help diagnose and monitor conditions affecting the bone marrow directly, including certain blood cancers.
How It's Done
Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy are typically performed at the same time, most commonly from the back of the pelvic bone. After numbing the area, aspiration involves withdrawing a small amount of liquid bone marrow using a needle and syringe, while biopsy involves removing a small, solid core of marrow tissue using a slightly different needle. The two samples together provide complementary information for the examining pathologist.
Background
Techniques for sampling bone marrow developed over the early to mid-20th century, alongside a growing understanding of how blood cells are produced and a recognition that examining marrow tissue directly could reveal information not available through blood tests alone. The procedure has been refined over subsequent decades to improve patient comfort and sample quality, and it remains an important diagnostic tool in hematology today.