Bone Marrow Biopsy Procedure

Bone marrow biopsies— This procedure involves the sampling (by means of a needle) of a small amount of bone marrow for its iron content. It gives an indication of the... 

A physieal examination is necessary to find out if the organs are functioning properly. Blood, urine and bone marrow tests may also be done. A small tissue sample (biopsy) may be taken from the rectum, abdominal fat or bone marrow to determine if the person has amyloidosis. These biopsies are relatively minor procedures done in an outpatient setting with a local anesthetic. Occasionally, samples are taken from the liver, nerve, heart or kidney. This may require hospitalization and can help diagnose the specific oi an affected by amyloidosis. Blood or urine tests can detect the protein, but only bone marrow tests or other small samples of tissue can positively establish the di nosis of amyloidosis. 

Arlyn Foma, a 68-year old man, complained of fatigue, loss of appetite, and a low-grade fever. An open biopsy of a lymph node indicated the presence of non-Hodgkin s lymphoma, follicular type. Computed tomography and other noninvasive procedures showed a diffuse process with bone marrow... 

---