When and why

In HIV disease a bone marrow biopsy is usually carried out to help find out what is the cause of a persistent fever, an anaemia (low blood count) or another blood disorder such as a low platelet count. It may also be necessary to assess the severity of a tumour.

A sample of bone marrow is usually taken from the pelvic bone just above and behind the hip and from the sternum (breast bone). To ensure the procedure is less painful a local anaesthetic is injected into the skin and soft tissues over the bone. However, there is usually some pain once the effect of the local anaesthetic has worn off and this can be eased by taking a pain-killing tablet.

A bone marrow biopsy is a routine procedure which is carried out on the ward or in an outpatient clinic. Part of the sample is sent to the laboratory to be examined under the microscope (histology) and part placed in special culture bottles to identify any infecting bacteria or fungi.

How it will help

In HIV it frequently helps to diagnose disseminated MAI infection or a lymphoma or rarely an unusual infection such as histoplasmosis. It can also help explain the cause of anaemia or other blood cell disorders.