With this leaflet information will inform you about the procedure and possible side effects of bone marrow biopsy.
What is a bone marrow biopsy?
Bone marrow biopsy is called the clipping of a small sample of bone from the basal bone of the pelvis, thus detecting abnormalities in the production of blood lines and facilitating the choice of appropriate treatment. Typical cases are the findings of an abnormal type or number of red or white blood cells or platelets in a general blood test. The test is used to diagnose several benign or malignant blood conditions such as leukaemia, infections, some types of anaemia etc.
How is the procedure?
The biopsy is performed at the doctor’s office under local anaesthesia. The sample is taken from the pelvic bone. The first part of the test is the myelogram, which is the aspiration of a small amount of bone marrow fluid with a syringe. Τhe sample is then subjected to specific staining and microscopic examination and/or sent to genetic laboratories for further investigation.
Τhe second part involves removing a small piece from the bone. The doctor inserts the biopsy needle, the central part of the needle is removed and the hollow needle moves for a few centimetres into the bone. This captures a small sample of the bone marrow within the needle. Bone marrow biopsy as opposed to myelogram, includes the posterior trabecula that provide equally important information, examined by a special histopathologic laboratory, after desalting the sample.
Additional examinations that may be needed:
• Karyotype: is the examination of the chromosomes, the genetic material of the individual, and it helps both in the diagnosis, the choice of treatment and prognosis of the disease. Τhis test is sent to Makarios Hospital of Nicosia.
• Molecular examination of gene mutations: takes place at the Karaiskakio Foundation, detects the existence or not of a particular mutation. For example, the diagnosis of chronic myelogenous leukemia can now be diagnosed through the presence of the bcr-abl mutation. Using the same method and quantitative measurement, we monitor the response of the disease to treatment.
The above tests are repeated over time to assess the course of the disease, to determine the starting point of treatment and the response to treatment.
Important questions:
Please answer the following questions carefully to assess potential risk factors:
1. Do you bleed easily?
2. Do you take anticoagulation drugs?
3. Any drug allergies you are aware off?
4. Do you suffer from heart, circulatory or pulmonary disease?
5. Are you a carrier of an infectious disease (hepatitis, HIV)?
6. Are you diabetic?
7. Do you suffer from any other chronic disease (Glaucoma, seizures etc)?
8. Any possibility of being pregnant?
Conducting a biopsy:
The biopsy begins with the local anesthesia. The area is then cleaned and prepared with sterile methods. You may feel a short and sudden pain when the fluid is removed from the syringe. Then, during the biopsy, there may also be a short stiffness of pain, since anesthesia cannot include the interior of the bone. This process can cause different intensity of pain to each individual.
Risks – Possible complications:
There may be some bleeding at the point of puncture. Further serious risks, such as severe bleeding or infection, are very rare.
