Bone marrow biopsy procedure in Türkiye

Bone marrow biopsy is a procedure to examine the bone marrow (bone marrow), which is the semi-rigid tissue found within the spongy parts of long bones and is the main site for the production of new blood cells. Performing this biopsy shows whether the bone marrow is healthy and making normal amounts of blood cells, in addition to making a diagnosis. Diseases of the blood and bone marrow and their monitoring, including some types of cancer and fever of unknown origin.

Why is a bone marrow biopsy done?

A bone marrow examination provides detailed information about the condition of the bone marrow and blood cells and is ordered if blood tests are abnormal or do not provide enough information and is performed to:

• Diagnosis of a disease or condition involving the bone marrow or blood cells.
• It determines the stage or extent of the disease.
• It is used to determine if iron levels are adequate.
• Disease control monitoring.
• Check for fever of unknown origin.

The test is also used to diagnose many conditions, including:

• Anemia.
• Blood cell conditions in which too few or too many certain types of blood cells are produced, such as leukopenia, leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, thrombocytosis, pancytopenia, and pancytocytosis.
• Cancers of the blood or bone marrow, including leukemias, lymphomas, and multiple myeloma. and cancers that have spread from another area, such as the breast, to the bone marrow.
• hemochromatosis.
• Fever of unknown origin.

Risks:

Bone marrow exams are safe procedures and complications are rare, but they can include:

• Heavy bleeding, especially in people with low platelet counts.
• An infection at the examination site, especially for people with a weakened immune system.
• Long-term discomfort at the site of the bone marrow examination.
• A rare occurrence of penetration of the breastbone during sample collection which could cause heart or lung problems.

How to prepare:

Bone marrow examinations are done on an outpatient basis, so no special preparation is required, but the doctor may ask you to stop eating and drinking for a period of time before the procedure if you plan to take a sedative.

In addition to:

• Tell your doctor about medications and supplements. Some medications and supplements increase the risk of bleeding after a bone marrow biopsy.
• Discuss all concerns about the examination with the doctor, as the doctor may give a sedative medicine before the examination in addition to local anesthesia at the place where the needle is inserted.

What you can expect:

A bone marrow biopsy is performed by a doctor who specializes in blood disorders (hematologist) or cancer (oncologist) or by nurses. Examination of the bone marrow usually takes 10 to 20 minutes.

Bone marrow biopsy:

First, blood pressure and heart rate are checked and a form of anesthesia is given to the patient. Here, a bone marrow examination can be performed using local anesthesia only (in the area of the procedure) and is sometimes accompanied by mild analgesics for pain relief or general anesthesia, where aspiration of the bone marrow causes short, but sharp pain.

Secondly, distinguishing the area through which the biopsy needles are to be inserted, and cleaning it with an antiseptic, then the patient is asked to lie on the stomach or on the side, after that the doctor or nurse makes a small incision in the skin, and then a hollow needle is inserted through the bone to the bone marrow and a sample of the marrow fluid is withdrawn bone using a syringe attached to the needle, and here the patient may feel a sharp or short stinging pain, then the health care team checks the sample to ensure that it is sufficient and appropriate.

To perform a bone marrow biopsy, a doctor or nurse uses a larger, specially designed needle to withdraw a cylindrical sample of solid bone marrow tissue.

Note: Bone marrow fluid and tissue sample are usually collected from the upper edge of the back of the hip bone or from the front of the hip. Rarely, a bone marrow sample is drawn from the breast bone or from the leg bone in children less than 12 to 18 months of age.

After a bone marrow biopsy:

Pressure is applied to the area through which the needle was inserted in order to stop the bleeding, then a bandage is placed, and if the patient underwent local anesthesia, the patient is asked to lie on his back for 10 to 15 minutes and press on the biopsy site, then he is allowed to leave and return to normal activity, but in If the patient is subjected to general anesthesia, he will be transferred to the recovery area until the effect of the anesthesia wears off.

The patient may feel some pain for a week or more after the bone marrow examination, so pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, may be requested.

Procedure site care:

• Apply the bandage and let it dry for 24 hours.
• Do not shower, swim, or use the hot tub for 24 hours.
• Avoid activity or exercise for a day or two.

You should contact your doctor if the following appears:

• Continuous bleeding that does not stop with direct pressure.
• persistent fever.
• worsening pain or discomfort.
• Swelling at the site of the operation.
• Increased redness or drainage at the procedure site.
• To help reduce bleeding and discomfort.

Results

Bone marrow samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis, which takes a few days. During that, a specialist in analyzing the biopsies (a pathologist or hematologist) evaluates the samples to determine if the bone marrow is producing enough healthy blood cells, in addition to looking for abnormal cells. This information is in:

• Confirm or rule out a diagnosis.
• Determine the extent of the disease.
• Evaluate whether the treatment was effective or not.

Bone marrow biopsy procedure in Türkiye

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