Bone Marrow: Indications and Procedure Set-up

The bone marrow is a complex organ, with dynamic hematopoietic and immunologic functions. It is disseminated within the intertrabecular and medullary spaces of the bone. Bone marrow trephine biopsy should be carried out by trained individuals following a standard operating procedure. A bone marrow aspirate should be performed as part of the same procedure. Because diagnostic samples are small representation of the total marrow, it is important that the material should be adequate, representative, and of high technical quality. We present a general review of bone marrow examination, indications and procedure set-up.