Today our topic of discussion is Benefits and Risk of Bone Biopsy.
Benefits and Risk of Bone Biopsy
Benefits
- Needle biopsy is a reliable method of obtaining tissue samples that can help diagnose whether a lesion is benign (non-cancerous) or malignant
- A closed needle biopsy is less invasive than surgical biopsy and can be performed using local anesthesia and moderate (conscious) sedation, while the surgical biopsy involves a larger incision in the skin and usually requires general anesthesia.
- Generally, the procedure is not painful and the results are as accurate as when a bone sample is removed surgically. Recovery time is brief.
- Bruising and discomfort at the biopsy site. Bone fracture. Prolonged bleeding from the biopsy site. Infection near the biopsy site or in the bone.
Risks
- Any procedure where the skin is penetrated carries a risk of infection. The chance of infection requiring antibiotic treatment appears to be less than one in 1,000
- Complications following a bone biopsy are rare. However, there is a small chance the biopsy needle may break the bone or injure a nerve, blood vessel or organ nearby. There is a very small chance that the bone may become infected or weak and not heal properly.
Limitations: A bone biopsy may not be able to be performed on patients who:
- Are unable to lie still during the procedure
- Have a condition affecting the immune system, which increases the chances of an infection at the biopsy site
- Take aspirin or blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder, which may increase chances for bleeding at the biopsy site.
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