Bone Marrow Aspiration: Overview, Benefits, and Expected Results

Definition & Overview

The bone marrow is a soft, spongy tissue found inside the bone. It is vital for the production of blood cells including the red and white blood cells as well as platelets. These cells are produced in large bones such as the skull, ribs, hips, spine, and breastbone.

The blood cells and platelets are vital for survival. The red blood cells transport oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body while the white blood cells protect the body from infections. Platelets, on the other hand, play a key role in blood clotting.

A bone marrow aspiration is different from a bone marrow biopsy. The latter removes a part of the bone, the marrow, and the fluid inside and examines them under a microscope. A bone marrow aspiration, on the other hand, only examines the marrow. It is performed to check for any blood-related diseases or abnormalities.

The patient’s marrow can either be red or yellow. Red marrow can be extracted from the hip and vertebrae while a yellow marrow is a red marrow that has saturated with fat cells.

Doctors aspirate the red marrow from the bones, which is then sent to a medical laboratory for examination. The pathology lab will check if the bone marrow is producing healthy blood cells or if there are any abnormalities in the cells being produced in the body. The lab results will reveal any infections, cancer, and other types of bone marrow diseases.

Who Should Undergo and Expected Results?

The procedure is often performed in patients with an abnormally high or low blood cells (white, red, and platelets) count. Abnormalities and diseases commonly diagnosed using the procedure include:

• Anaemia – A condition marked by a deficiency of haemoglobin or red blood cells that results in an unhealthy pale appearance and extreme tiredness
• Aplastic anaemia – A condition wherein the bone marrow is unable to produce enough blood cells thereby giving the patient an overall feeling of fatigue. The condition also increases the risk of blood infections and bleeding.
• Myelofibrosis or myelodysplastic syndrome – Common types of bone marrow diseases
• Bone marrow cancer, such as leukaemia or lymphomas
• Haemochromatosis – A hereditary metabolic disorder wherein iron salts are deposited in various tissues of the body. This excess iron in the tissues can damage the organs, joints, and can lead to death
• Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
• Multiple myeloma
• Primary thrombocytopenia
• Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia

How is the Procedure Performed?

Patients will need to tell their doctor if they have a bleeding disorder or are currently taking any medication.

The doctor will need to know the patient’s medical history, including any allergies to food and drugs. If the patient is a woman, the doctor will need to know if she’s pregnant or planning to have a baby. If the patient is feeling anxious about the entire procedure, the doctor may administer medication to help the patient relax.

A bone marrow aspiration is a simple medical procedure that can be performed using a mild sedative. It can be done in a hospital or clinic with a skilled or trained physician.

Before the procedure starts, the physician’s assistants will take the patient’s heart rate and blood pressure, which are monitored all throughout the procedure.

The doctor will then clean the area where the needle will be inserted. Once cleaned, a needle with anaesthesia or sedative drug is injected to numb the area and the surrounding bones. A special kind of needle is then used to aspirate the bone marrow. The needle is connected to a tube that creates suction so the obtained sample flows through the tube into a container.

When an enough amount of bone marrow is obtained, the needle is removed. The insertion area is applied with pressure and a bandage is used to stop the bleeding, if there’s any.

The test can result in a slight burning sensation due to the medicine used. As the doctor aspirates the marrow from the bone, a sharp pain is felt but only lasts for a few seconds. The whole procedure only lasts about 10 minutes.

The doctor may ask the patient to stay for an hour or two in the hospital or clinic for observation before being allowed to go home. Any post-procedural pain is managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. The incision has to be kept dry and must be regularly cleaned to avoid infection.

The doctor will schedule a follow-up appointment to go through the lab result with the patient. Any abnormal findings will warrant further tests or treatment.

Possible Risks and Complications

Complications arising from a bone marrow aspiration are rare. These include:

• Infection, which can be treated with medications
• Allergic reaction to the anaesthesia
• Nagging or persistent pain in the area where the procedure was performed. The pain can be managed by taking pain relievers or analgesics.

Patients with a weak immune system may be at a higher risk of acquiring bacterial infections while those diagnosed with a low platelet count may suffer from increased bleeding during and after the procedure.

References:

• Quesada AE, Tholpady A, Wanger A, Nguyen AN, Chen L. Utility of bone marrow examination for workup of fever of unknown origin in patients with HIV/AIDS. J Clin Pathol. 2015 Mar. 68(3):241-5. [Medline].

• Sokolowska B, Skomra D, Czartoryska B, Tomczak W, Tylki-Szymanska A, Gromek T, et al. Gaucher disease diagnosed after bone marrow trephine biopsy – a report of two cases. Folia Histochem Cytobiol. 2011. 49(2):352-6.

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**Bone Marrow Aspiration: A ⁤Comprehensive ‌Guide to Overview, Benefits, and Expected Results**



**Overview**



Bone marrow aspiration is a medical procedure that involves removing a small sample of bone marrow from the body. It is typically performed under local anesthesia and ​involves inserting a needle into the bone, usually ⁣in the pelvis or hip⁤ bone. Bone marrow aspiration is ⁢commonly used for diagnostic purposes ‍and to monitor disease progression, ⁤specifically for conditions involving the blood, bone marrow, or immune system.



**Benefits**



* **Diagnosis:** Bone marrow aspiration can provide valuable diagnostic information ‍for a range⁢ of⁢ illnesses, including leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma,‍ and ‌other blood disorders.

* **Staging and prognosis:** The sample obtained ​can help determine the stage and severity of a​ disease, which informs treatment decisions and provides prognostic information.

* **Monitoring treatment:** Serial bone marrow aspirations can​ track the ⁢effectiveness⁣ of treatment and monitor response ⁣to therapy.

* **Research:** Bone marrow aspirates can be used ⁣for research purposes to study ‌diseases and ⁣develop new therapies.



**Expected Results**



After a ​bone marrow aspiration, you can expect the following:



* **Mild discomfort:** The procedure may cause some temporary pain or‍ soreness at the aspiration site.

* ⁢**Bruising:** There may be some bruising ​at the injection site.

* **Recovery:** ​Most people ‌recover‌ quickly from⁣ bone⁢ marrow aspiration and can resume their normal activities within⁢ a few ⁤days.



**Procedure Details**



* **Preparation:**⁤ Before the procedure, you may be asked to fast and stop taking certain medications.

* **Anesthesia:** Local anesthesia is administered‌ to numb the aspiration⁣ site.

* **Aspiration:** A needle is inserted into the ‍bone⁤ marrow cavity, and​ a small sample ⁣of marrow⁣ is withdrawn.

* **Processing:** The marrow sample is sent to ​a laboratory for analysis and examination under a microscope.



**Who Should⁤ Consider Bone Marrow Aspiration?**



Bone marrow aspiration may be recommended⁤ for individuals with symptoms or a medical history suggestive of the following conditions:



*⁤ Blood disorders⁢ such as leukemia or lymphoma

* Myelodysplasia or myeloproliferative disorders

* Infectious diseases

* Immune deficiencies



**Conclusion**



Bone marrow aspiration is a ⁢safe and informative‌ procedure that provides valuable information for diagnosing and monitoring various medical conditions. By removing a small sample of bone marrow,‌ healthcare providers ⁤can gain insights ⁢into the health ⁤of the blood, bone marrow, and immune system. If your⁣ doctor recommends a bone marrow aspiration, it is important to​ follow the preparation instructions and discuss any⁤ concerns or questions you may have.