Bone marrow aspiration andor biopsy (1072)

 Bone marrow is the soft, spongy center of the bones.  Blood cells grow in the marrow before they go through the blood vessels and into the body.   

• A bone marrow aspiration removes only the marrow. This test tells what kinds of cells are in your child’s bone marrow.  It also shows if the cells are healthy.
• A bone marrow biopsy removes a small amount of bone and bone marrow.  This gives the doctor more information about the blood cells and the tissue that the cells are growing in.

Where is the procedure done?

• The test may be done in the special procedure room or in the operating room.  Check with the doctor or nurse to see if a parent or caregiver can stay during the test.
• Most often, the area of bone used for the test is the front or back top edge of your child’s hipbone.

How is the procedure done?

• About one hour before the test, your child may have a cream put on the hipbone called EMLA®. This cream helps make the skin feel numb. 
• Before starting the test, your child may get medicine to help them relax and feel sleepy.  This medicine may be given by mouth or by IV into a vein.  Deep breathing and muscle relaxation may be used instead of medicine.  When your child feels sleepy or relaxed, the test will start.  The doctor or nurse will clean the skin over the pelvic bone with a special soap.  
• If a bone marrow aspirate is done, a special needle is pushed through the skin and a short way into the bone.  Your child will feel the doctor push.  A syringe is used to draw out the liquid marrow.  As the marrow is drawn, your child may feel shooting pain down their leg.
• If a biopsy is done, a small cut may be made in the skin.  A special needle is used to take out some bone marrow.  Before the needle is removed, the doctor will move it back and forth to remove a tiny solid piece of the bone tissue.
• After the needle is removed, pressure is held on the spot for a few minutes so it does not bleed.  A Band-Aid®, a pressure dressing or a special cover called a "steri-strip" is put on the area. 
  The aspiration and biopsy take about 5 to 10 minutes each.

What follow-up care is needed?

• Take the Band-Aid® off your child’s hipbone after 24 hours.  Do not leave it on any longer.  Keep this area clean and dry.  Your child can take a shower or bath after 24 hours.
• If steri-strips were used, leave them on until they fall off on their own.  Keep the spot clean and dry.  
• Watch the site of the aspirate or biopsy for signs of an infection.  Signs include pain, swelling, redness or drainage.  A fever may also be a sign of infection.  Call your child’s doctor or nurse if you see signs of infection.  
• It is normal to see a small bruise on the skin from the test.  

When will we get the test results?

The doctor may be able to give you the first results of the aspirate within a few hours.  The biopsy results and the complete aspirate results may take 2 to 3 days or longer.