
Bone Biopsy
You have been told you need a bone biopsy and are asking yourself a lot of question. Well, first a biopsy is the removal of a living tissue. After the removal of a sample of tissue it will be sent to the laboratory to be examined.
A bone biopsy can be done in a clinic with a local anesthesia. During a bone biopsy a small sample of bone is taken from the body and sent to the lab. The sample will be looked at under a microscope. The lab staff will look for cancer, infection, and other bone disorders.
It is easier for the bone biopsy to be taken from a bone that is close to the skin surface but away from any internal organs. The biopsy also needs to be done away from large blood vessels. However, a bone biopsy can be taken from any bone in the body. Most of the time the bone biopsy is done on a bone that shows a problem when an x-ray was done.
There are many times a bone biopsy needs to be done. A few are listed below:
- To confirm the diagnosis of a bone disorder that was found by some other test. (x-ray, CT scan, bone scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
- To tell the difference between a benign (noncancerous) bone mass. Such as a bone cyst, and bone cancer.
- To find out what is causing a bone infection or if an infection is present.
- To see what is causing your ongoing bone pain.
If you are having an open bone biopsy your surgeon may be able to do a surgical procedure right then if one is needed. So before your bone biopsy you should discuss the following with you doctor:
- If you are taking any medicines. He/she will discuss with you whether or not you should stop taking those before the biopsy.
- If you are allergic to anything you might come in contact with such as latex, or medicines used to numb the skin (anesthetics)
- It is important that the surgeon know if you have any bleeding problems or if you take any prescribed or over the counter medication that thins the blood. (aspirin, plavix, coumadin, etc.)
- If you are pregnant or even might be pregnant.
- When you are discussing any medicines you are on it is important to list any (if you are having a bone marrow biopsyherbal remedies you are taking.How will the bone biopsy be removed:
If you are having a bone marrow biopsy:
The medical personnel will insert a needle (closed needle biopsy) through the skin directly into the bone. You will have a local anesthetic to lessen the pain you will feel during the procedure. Some patients are also given intravenous pain medicine and/or a sedative.
Or an incision is made through the skin to expose an area of the bone (open biopsy). You may be given a general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia for this procedure.
If you are in need of a bone biopsy you can have the procedure done at Outpatient Services East. The entire staff (medical and non-medical) will do all they can to make you time with them pleasant. Call them if you need any information about their facility.
Phone: 205-838-3888 Web: www.osesurg.com
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