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Risks
By Mayo Clinic staffBone marrow exams don't usually pose a big risk. Complications are rare, and those that do occur are often mild. They include:
- Excessive bleeding, particularly in people with a low platelet count
- Infection, especially in people with weakened immune systems
- Breaking of needles within the bone, which may cause infection or bleeding
- Long-lasting discomfort at the biopsy site
- Penetration of the breastbone (sternum) during sternal aspirations, which can cause heart or lung problems
- Complications related to sedation, such as an allergic reaction, nausea or irregular heartbeats
If you have a bleeding disorder, an infection at the planned biopsy site or had previous radiation treatments in that area, you may not be able to have a bone marrow exam.
- What are bone marrow tests? National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/bmt/bmt_all.html. Accessed Oct. 28, 2009.
- Zehnder JL. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy: Indications and technique. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 28, 2009.
- Riley RS, et al. An illustrated guide to performing the bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Pathology. http://www.pathology.vcu.edu/education/lymph/How%20to%20Marrow.pdf. Accessed Oct. 28, 2009.
- Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. Lab Tests Online. http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/bone_marrow/glance.html#. Accessed Oct. 28, 2009.
- Gomella LG, et al. Bedside procedures (bone marrow aspiration and biopsy). In: Clinician's Pocket Reference. 11th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2694363. Accessed Oct. 28, 2009.
- Ryan DH., et al. Examination of the marrow. In: Lichtman MA, et al. Williams Hematology. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2006. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2139692. Accessed Oct. 28, 2009.
