Have you used a home testing kit for a medical diagnosis?

COVID-19 RATs are an example of these types of tests but we are interested in the many others on the market.

The University of Wollongong is conducting a small study about them and we'd like to hear from you if you have used one or considered using one.

Simply complete a short survey at:
https://uow.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eeodpzn8lgSsAbI

From here, we may invite you to take part in a paid interview.

For more information, contact Dr Patti Shih: pshih@uow.edu.au
 

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At a glance

Also known as

BM biopsy; Bone marrow test or examination; trephine biopsy

Why get tested?

Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy is used: to evaluate the type, quantity, and maturity levels of the blood cells present in the marrow; to evaluate the fibrous structure of the marrow; to diagnose or monitor a haematological malignancy; and sometimes to collect a sample of marrow for more specific testing

When to get tested?

When a patient is anaemic without an obvious cause and/or has a condition or cancer that may be affecting blood cell production; sometimes when a doctor is investigating a fever of unknown origin, often when the patient is immunocompromised

Sample required?

A bone marrow sample is normally collected from the hip bone (iliac crest of the pelvis) or sternum

Test preparation needed?
Tell the doctor:
  • If you are allergic to any medication
  • What medications you are taking, especially aspirin, warfarin or another blood thinner
  • If you have bleeding issues
  • If you are pregnant
You will be asked to sign a consent form. If sedation is planned, you will be asked to fast for the procedure. 
 

What is being tested?

Bone marrow is the production site of the blood cells. It contains the precursors of red blood cells, platelets and white blood cells.

Bone marrow aspirate allows the pathologist to examine (under the microscope) the types, numbers and the appearance of blood cells. Additional tests might include:

  • Flow cytometry: surface markers on the cells.
  • Cytogenetics/fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH): appearance of the chromosomes.
  • Molecular genetics testing: absence or abnormal changes in the genes.
  • Iron staining: assess iron stores or abnormal distribution of iron granules.
  • Culture: viral, bacterial, mycobacterial (e.g. tuberculosis) or fungal infection that may cause “fever of unknown origin”. 
Trephine biopsy allows the pathologist to examine (under the microscope) the structure of the marrow and the distribution of the precursor cells. Additional staining may be performed to look at the fibrous tissue (reticulin stain), cell types (e.g. immunohistochemistry) or abnormal deposition (e.g. Congo red). 
 
How is the sample collected for testing?

The bone marrow aspiration and/or biopsy procedure is performed by a doctor in the doctor’s office or in a hospital. Marrow is removed in the following steps:

  • Vital signs are evaluated.
  • If needed, sedation is given to help you relax.
  • You will lie down on your side or back.
  • The doctor will examine for the most appropriate area for collection. ► Most commonly collected from the hip bone (pelvis) or sternum (breastbone, for aspirate only).
  • The site is cleaned with an antiseptic and draped with cloth.
  • Local anaesthetic is injected to numb the skin and the bone surface.
  • Needle is inserted into the bone. For an aspiration, a syringe is attached and the liquid marrow is collected.
  • For trephine biopsy, the centre of the needle is removed and the hollow needle is inserted deeper into the bone. This captures a core (cylindrical sample) of bone marrow.
  • The sample and needle are removed.
  • Pressure and a bandage are applied to stop any bleeding.
  • You may be instructed to lie flat until the sedative effects have worn off.
  • The bone marrow site should be kept dry and covered for about 48 hours. 
Is any test preparation needed to ensure the quality of the sample?
How to prepare for the test
Tell the doctor:
  • If you are allergic to any medication
  • What medications you are taking, especially aspirin, warfarin or another blood thinner
  • If you have bleeding issues
  • If you are pregnant
You will be asked to sign a consent form. If sedation is planned, you will be asked to fast for the procedure.

How the test will feel?
  • You may feel a sharp sting when the local anaesthetic is injected.
  • The insertion of the aspiration/biopsy needle may cause a pressure feeling or dull ache.
  • Aspiration may be associated a brief, sharp pain as the bone marrow liquid is removed.
What are the risks?
  • It is common to experience some pain during the procedure and for few days afterwards. This is usually managed by simple painkillers such as paracetamol. Anti-inflammatory drugs are usually avoided as this could exacerbate bleeding.
  • Bleeding at the procedure site is usually easy to control by pressure and bandage.
  • Other more serious side effects are uncommon, such as serious bleeding, infection, and nerve injury.
  • Occasionally the procedure is unsuccessful or non-diagnostic, and might need to be repeated. 

The Test

How is it used?

The bone marrow biopsy and aspiration provide information about blood cell production. They are not routinely ordered and in fact the majority of people will never have one done. A marrow aspiration and/or biopsy may be ordered to help evaluate blood cell production, to help diagnose leukaemia, to help diagnose a bone marrow disorder, to help diagnose and stage a variety of other types of cancer (to determine spread into the marrow), and to help determine whether a severe anaemia is due to decreased red blood cell (RBC) production, increased loss, abnormal RBC production and/or to a vitamin or mineral deficiency or excess.

A bone marrow sample may also be evaluated and cultured for the presence of microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, or mycobacteria (such as that which causes tuberculosis) when the patient has a fever of unknown origin. Bone marrow testing may be ordered when it is suspected that the patient has a chromosomal abnormality and/or a disorder associated with iron storage that may cause iron to accumulate in the marrow.

When a person is being treated for a cancer, a bone marrow aspiration and/or biopsy may be ordered to evaluate the response to therapy to determine whether suppressed marrow function is beginning to return to normal.

A full blood count (FBC) and reticulocyte count are frequently ordered along with the bone marrow aspiration/biopsy. The results are used to help evaluate cell production in the marrow and compare it to current cell populations in circulation.

When is it requested?

Your doctor may order this test if you have abnormal result on a full blood count (FBC) or complete blood count (CBC). This could include abnormal numbers or types of red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets.

Various disorders could be diagnosed on bone marrow aspiration and/or biopsy:

It is also performed to monitor the treatment efficacy or if relapse is suspected.  
 

What does the test result mean?

With a bone marrow biopsy and aspiration the doctor is evaluating what is in the marrow in order to determine whether the cells found are normal and present in typical quantities, to determine whether there are cells present that shouldn't be there (such as abnormal cells that are characteristic of specific cancers or disorders such as the Gaucher cell found with Gaucher's disease or the foamy lipid-filled Niemann-Pick cell found with Niemann-Pick disease), and to determine what is missing.

The training and expertise of the pathologist or haematologist evaluating the marrow samples allows them to sort through the marrow clues and tell the doctor what is happening in the marrow. In most cases, this information can confirm or rule out a diagnosis and bone marrow involvement, but it can also point out the need for further investigation. For instance, if there are a decreased number of RBCs in the blood and an increased number of reticulocytes, and a marrow evaluation shows that RBC production appears normal but increased, then the doctor knows that marrow production of RBCs has increased appropriately to meet a RBC demand. What they still do not know is the reason for the demand. It could be due to an acute or chronic loss of RBCs (such as may occur with gastrointestinal bleeding) or due to acute or chronic RBC destruction (such as sometimes occurs with an artificial heart valve).

A patient with few RBCs and no increase in reticulocytes may have aplastic anaemia (suppressed RBC production in the marrow). An evaluation of the bone marrow may confirm this condition but it does not necessarily tell the doctor whether it is due to a bone marrow disorder, radiation, exposure to certain chemicals, some cancers, cancer treatment or due to a tuberculosis infection.

The doctor takes the information that they receive from the marrow evaluation and combines it with information from a clinical examination, blood tests and a variety of other tests, such as imaging scans and X-rays, to reach a final diagnosis. It can be a straightforward process or it can be a complex diagnostic puzzle. Patients should stay involved in this process by talking to their doctor before and after a bone marrow biopsy and/or aspiration, asking what their suspicions are, what kind of information they are hoping to obtain from the evaluation, and what follow-up tests might be indicated.

Common Questions

Will I be put to sleep for a bone marrow aspiration and/or biopsy?

It is not usually necessary, but you may be given a sedative before the procedure.

How does a bone marrow aspiration and/or biopsy compare with a bone marrow collection for donation?

The collection process is similar but the bone marrow donor goes through a physical examination and has blood tests done prior to the collection to make sure that they are healthy and that their sample will be compatible with the person to whom the marrow will be donated. The donor is usually put under general anaesthesia during the collection because a larger amount of marrow must be obtained under sterile conditions. The sample is then processed, filtered and given to the transplant recipient through a vein.
 

Last Review Date: September 17, 2022


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