Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy: techniques and practice implications

Skeletal Radiol. 2022 Jan;51(1):81-88. doi: 10.1007/s00256-021-03882-w. Epub 2021 Aug 16.

Abstract

Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy (BMAB) is a valuable diagnostic procedure commonly performed for evaluation of a wide spectrum of diseases including hematologic abnormalities, nonhematologic malignancies, metabolic abnormalities, and tumor treatment response such as chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation, hematologic tumor staging, and suspected infection in patients with fever of unknown origin. This minimally invasive intervention offers excellent safety profile and a high diagnostic yield. Radiologists should be familiar with clinical implications of BMAB for patient care and be able to implement various technical armamentarium available to achieve a safe intervention while maximizing procedure yield.

Keywords: Bone marrow aspiration; Bone marrow biopsy; CT guidance; Fluoroscopy guidance; Practice implications; Techniques.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Bone Marrow* / diagnostic imaging
  • Fever
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Neoplasms*