Bone marrow aspiration

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Bone marrow aspiration

Bone marrow aspiration is the removal of a small amount of the liquid portion of the bone marrow through a needle inserted into the bone. It can be done to collect bone marrow for stem cell transplantation or chromosomal analysis, or to monitor treatment for certain types of blood disorders.

The bone marrow sample is examined under a microscope to obtain information to:

Help diagnose conditions that affect the bone marrow, such as lymphoma and leukemia.
Help determine the cause of abnormal blood tests.
Measure the amount of iron, or other substances, that blood cells need for growth.

Additional tests of the bone marrow sample can also be done to see if an infection is present and to identify antibiotics that might be used to treat the infection.

A bone marrow biopsy is the removal of bone marrow tissue and is often done with a bone marrow aspiration. A biopsy allows close examination of the bone marrow's structure.

Credits

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Author	Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Author	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Denele Ivins
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Joseph O'Donnell, MD - Hematology/Oncology
Last Updated	January 29, 2007

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Last updated:	January 29, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Joseph O'Donnell, MD - Hematology/Oncology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer

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