Bone Marrow Biopsy

Question 1

what are some indications for bone marrow biopsy?

Answer 1

• unexplained anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia or pancytopenia
• diagnosis & staging of lymphoma or solid tumors
• elevated peripheral counts (polycythemia, thrombocytosis)
• diagnosis of plasma cell d/o & leukemias
• suspected storage disease
• FUO
• unexplained splenomegaly
• evaluation of donor for BM/step cell transplant

Question 2

contraindications for bone marrow transplant?

Answer 2

• Hemophilia
• severe DIC
• other severe beeding disorder
• skin infection

for bleeding disorder; consider factor replacement therapy

Do not perform in sternum- very easy to damage

Question 3

how should one calculate the fat to cellularity ratio? what is considered hypercellularity? what is considered hypocellularity?

Answer 3

ratio is normally 40-60%
rough guide (%= 100- age)
>60%= hyperceullarity
<30% = hypocellularity
* aplastic anemai
* area of radiation