Bone marrow aspiration is a procedure to check the condition of the contents of the bone marrow. This procedure can be used to detect various blood disorders, such as leukocytesemia, monitor the progress of the disease, and monitor the effectiveness of treatment.
Bone marrow is the soft tissue inside large bones, such as the pelvis or spine. Bone marrow contains stem cells, which are early cells before they develop and change into mature red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets (platelets).
Bone marrow aspiration is performed by taking a sample of the contents of the bone marrow. Through the bone marrow sample, doctors can determine the condition of stem cells circulating throughout the body from the bone marrow, so that blood disorders can be diagnosed accurately.
Indications for bone marrow aspiration
Bone marrow aspiration or bone marrow puncture (BMP) is performed when a patient experiences signs of a blood disorder, such as a decreased or increased number of one or all three blood cells. The rise and fall of the blood cell count can be seen from the symptoms or from the initial examination of a complete blood count.
The following are the purposes of performing a bone marrow aspiration:
- Diagnosing diseases or conditions involving the bone marrow or blood cells
- Determining the stage or progression of a disease
- Checking iron levels and metabolism in the body
- Monitor treatment of a disease
- Identify the microorganism that causes infection
Some types of diseases that have indications for bone marrow aspiration are:
- aplastic anemia
- Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)
- Myelofibrosis
- Polycythemia
- Hemochromatosis
- Gaucher's disease
- Amyloidosis
- Blood cancers, such as leukemia or multiple myeloma
- Lymph cancer (lymphoma)
- fungal infection
- Tuberculosis
Bone Marrow Aspiration Warning
Bone marrow aspiration is a safe test. Therefore, there are no contraindications to bone marrow aspiration. In other words, bone marrow aspiration can be performed on anyone in any age group.
However, patients should tell their doctor if they are taking supplements, herbal products, or medications, especially blood thinners, heart attack medications, and stroke medications.
In addition to drugs, patients must also tell their doctor if they suffer from an illness or have allergies to anesthetics or drugs chlorhexidine.
Before Bone Marrow Aspiration
Before a bone marrow aspiration is performed, the doctor will monitor the patient's blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature to ensure that the patient is ready for the examination.
There is no special preparation for patients who will undergo bone marrow aspiration. However, if you are afraid of going through the procedure, let your doctor know so they can help you overcome your fear. If necessary, the doctor can give you a sedative.
Bone Marrow Aspiration Procedure
Bone marrow aspiration procedures are usually performed by specialists in internal medicine, especially consultant hematology and medical oncology (KHOM). A bone marrow aspiration can be done at the nearest clinic or hospital and generally lasts 30 minutes.
The following are the stages of a bone marrow aspiration examination:
- The patient will be asked to change into clothes that have been prepared and then lie down on the available mattress in an inclined or prone position.
- The doctor will clean the skin to be given a local anesthetic using an antiseptic.
- After the anesthetic is given, the patient will feel numbness or numbness in the area where the local anesthetic was given.
- The doctor will insert a needle into the skin until it penetrates the bone to take a sample of the contents of the bone marrow.
- The patient will feel some discomfort when the needle is pressed, even though the area has been given local anesthesia.
- After the bone marrow sample is taken, the doctor will cover the skin with a sterile bandage and the patient must keep it dry for 48 hours.
A bone marrow aspiration is usually done in the area of the back of the pelvis (around the buttocks). However, bone marrow aspiration is also sometimes performed on the sternum. In children, a bone marrow aspiration is usually performed on the shinbone.
After Bone Marrow Aspiration
After undergoing bone marrow aspiration, the patient can carry out activities as usual. However, the patient should be careful in treating wounds caused by needle aspiration. The wound must be kept dry for 48 hours to avoid infection.
The patient may feel pain or tenderness at the site of the bone marrow aspiration for several days. To relieve the pain, the patient will be given pain medication by the doctor.
The results of the examination will be out in a few days to 1 week. The doctor will explain the results of the examination at the next meeting.
Complications of Bone Marrow Aspiration
In general, bone marrow aspiration is a safe procedure. However, that does not mean this procedure is completely without complications. The following are some of the complications that may arise after undergoing bone marrow aspiration:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Allergic reactions to anesthetics
- Discomfort in the area of bone marrow aspiration
