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Bone marrow aspiration
Bone marrow aspiration
Sternum - view of the outside (anterior)
Sternum - view of the outside (anterior)


Bone marrow aspiration

Alternative Names:
Iliac crest tap; Sternal tap

Normal Values:

The marrow should contain hematopoietic cells (blood forming), fat cells, and connective tissues.



What abnormal results mean:

The examination of the bone marrow can help diagnose myelofibrosis, granulomas, lymphoma, cancer, anemias, causes of thrombocytopenia (low platelets), and thrombocytosis (high platelets). In addition to examination of the marrow smear, genetic studies can be performed. Different stains may help in identifying a type of cancer or anemia.

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:




Review Date: 2/3/2005
Reviewed By: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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