Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy

Bone marrow aspiration and bone marrow biopsy are procedures to remove and examine bone marrow, the spongy tissue in some of the largest bones.

Bone marrow aspiration and bone marrow biopsy can show if your bone marrow is healthy and makes normal amounts of blood cells. Doctors use these procedures to diagnose and monitor disorders of the blood and bone marrow, including certain types of cancer and fevers of unknown origin. The bone marrow has a liquid part and a solid part. During the bone marrow puncture, a sample of the liquid part is taken with a needle. A bone marrow biopsy uses a needle to take a sample of the solid part.

A bone marrow biopsy can be done alone, but it is usually combined with a bone marrow biopsy. Collectively, these procedures may be referred to as a bone marrow examination.