Bone marrow examination

A bone marrow biopsy is used to assess the formation of blood and the diagnosis or spread diagnosis of diseases of the bone marrow and the hematopoietic system (eg, leukemia, multiple myeloma, malignant lymphoma) but also, for example, to clarify the question of whether the bone marrow of disseminated metastases of solid tumors ( such as breast cancer or lung cancer ) is affected.

The puncture is made after local anesthesia using a hollow needle with stylet either at the posterior iliac crest ( iliac crest puncture) or the sternum ( sternal ), rarely on the anterior iliac crest. A distinction is an aspiration ( " bone marrow cytology ") and a punch ( " bone marrow histology "). In the aspiration of bone marrow is aspirated. So blood, small bone marrow and fat market shares are obtained. Then, the puncture is formed on a slide for cytological evaluation spread ( this is referred to as smear Knochenmarksausstrich ). Most additional immunological, cytogenetic or molecular studies be made thereto except these microscopic examination. Does not succeed to suck the bone marrow, then one speaks of Punctio sicca ( ​​"dry puncture "). This can result in diseases that are associated with a strong connective tissue remodeling of the bone marrow, such as myelofibrosis or hairy cell leukemia at, be the case. By means of the punch biopsy obtained a bone marrow cylinder for histological and immunohistological a possible investigation.

• The diagnostic method in hematology and oncology
• Hematology