Bone marrow biopsies
What is a Bone Marrow Biopsy?
Bone marrow is the spongy tissue and fluid which is inside some of the larger bones in the body. A biopsy involves the removal of a small amount of tissue and fluid from the bone marrow.
Why is a Bone Marrow performed?
Bone marrow produces the body’s red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Bone marrow samples help in the diagnosis of certain illnesses, including blood disorders. They are also performed to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.
Bone Marrow Biopsies
Our full-time medical practitioner, Dr Michael Speedy, conducts our bone marrow biopsies.
For patients with private health insurance, we provide the following:
- All bone marrows performed under IV sedation in day procedure units/theatres
- Urgent cases, in most circumstances, can usually be performed within 24 hours of request
- If required, we can coordinate with surgeons to perform the procedure at the same time as other surgery (eg. lymph node biopsies)
- Clinpath will organise the appropriate hospital and anaesthetic booking in consultation with the patient and referring doctor and can be arranged in any of Adelaide's private hospitals
- Prompt turnaround time for results
- All Clinpath involvement, ie. the procedure and associated pathology is bulk-billed, or charged directly to the patient's health fund, ie. no out of pocket expenses for the patient
Please call Dr Speedy's office on 08 8366 2049 to make a booking.
Patient Instructions
CARE OF THE WOUND & DRESSING
You will have a small cut in the skin (1/2 cm long) which has been covered with a dressing.
You may shower 24 hours following the procedure; remove all the dressings before showering.
Apply a fresh band-aid over wound after every shower for the following three (3) days.
Some discomfort may be felt for a few days after the procedure.
Paracetamol may be taken to relieve any discomfort if necessary.
Avoid exercise and strenuous activity for one week after the procedure.
If bleeding occurs, simply apply firm pressure to the dressing with a rolled up towel for 30 minutes.
If you have any concerns regarding the wound, call Dr Speedy on 8366 2049.
Samples are sent routinely for morphology, immunophenotyping (on-site flow cytometry), cytogenetics and histology.
Molecular testing is available by special arrangement through our colleagues in Sonic Clinical Genetics.
Please call Dr Speedy's office on 08 8366 2049 to make a booking.