Bone marrow culture

Alternative Names: Culture - bone marrow

Bone marrow culture is an examination of the soft, fatty tissue found inside certain bones. This tissue, called bone marrow, produces blood cells. This test is done to find out if there is an infection inside the bone marrow.

Why is the Test Performed?

You may have this test if you have an unexplained fever or if your health care provider thinks you have an infection of the bone marrow.

How is the Test Performed?

The doctor removes a sample of your bone marrow from the back of your pelvic bone or breast bone. This is usually done with a small needle inserted into your bone, which is called a bone marrow aspiration or a biopsy.

The removed tissue is sent to a lab. It is placed into a special container called a culture dish. Every day, the laboratory specialist will look at the tissue under a microscope to see if any bacteria, fungi, or viruses have grown.

If any bacteria, fungi, or viruses are found, other tests may be done to learn which drugs will kill the organisms. Treatment can then be started based on these results.

How will the Test Feel?

You may feel pressure and pain as the marrow is being removed. (You may be given some numbing medicine, called anesthesia, before the procedure.)

Soreness at the site usually lasts from a few hours to 1-2 days.

Bone marrow culture Risks

• Bleeding
• Infection

Considerations

Fluid (aspirate) or a piece of tissue (biopsy specimen) from the bone marrow may be sent to the laboratory for many different types of tests. These tests study how immature blood cells look, and how they are developing.

Normal Results for Bone marrow culture

No growth of bacteria, viruses, or fungi in the culture is normal.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Abnormal results suggest that you have an infection of the bone marrow. The infection may be from bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

Bone marrow aspiration

Review Date: 2/28/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

_{Do not use this information for medical emergencies - Call 911. This information should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should always be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other websites do not constitute endorsements and are provided for information only. Any duplication or distribution of this information is strictly prohibited.
Copyright 2011 A.D.A.M., Inc.}