Bone marrow aspirations and biopsies are performed to examine
bone marrow, the spongy liquid part of the bone where blood
cells are made. In a bone marrow aspiration, a small amount of
liquid marrow is taken from inside the bone so the cells can be
examined under a microscope. In a bone marrow biopsy, a small
piece of intact bone marrow is removed so the structure of the
bone marrow inside its bony framework can be examined.
Occasionally, only an aspiration is needed; other times, both
tests are done. The aspiration and biopsy are done by a trained
medical practitioner (nurse or doctor) using a small needle
inserted into a bone. Usually the back of the hipbone (iliac
crest) is used. Why It's Done Doctors perform bone marrow
aspirations and biopsies when they're concerned about a problem
in the bone marrow. The tests can help to diagnose: the cause of
anemia (too few red blood cells, which carry oxygen through the
body) the cause of thrombocytopenia (too few platelets, which
help the blood to clot) the cause o