Bone Biopsy

A bone biopsy is a procedure in which a small sample of bone is taken from the body and looked at under a microscope for cancer, infection, or other bone disorders. The sample of bone can be removed by:

• Inserting a needle through the skin and directly into the bone (Reference closed or needle biopsy Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window). A numbing medicine (Reference local anesthetic Opens New Window) is used to prevent pain during this procedure. Reference Intravenous (IV) Opens New Window pain medicine and a Reference sedative Opens New Window medicine also may be given.
• Making a cut (incision) through the skin to expose an area of the bone (Reference open biopsy Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window). Reference General anesthesia Opens New Window or medicine to block feeling in the area where the cut is made (Reference spinal anesthesia Opens New Window or a Reference nerve block Opens New Window) is given for this procedure.

A bone biopsy can be taken from any bone in the body. It is easiest to get the biopsy samples from bones that are close to the skin surface and away from any internal organs or large blood vessels.

A bone biopsy is often done on bone areas that show problems on an Reference X-ray Opens New Window. Computed tomography (Reference CT scan Opens New Window) or a Reference bone scan Opens New Window may be used to guide the biopsy needle.

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