Powered Bone Marrow Biopsy Procedures Produce Larger Core Specimens, with Less Pain, in Less Time Than with Standard Manual Devices

• Published in: Hematology reports Vol. 3; no. 1; p. e8
• Main Authors: Miller, Larry J., Philbeck, Thomas E., Montez, Diana F., Puga, Tatiana A., Brodie, Kim E., Cohen, Stephen C., Spadaccini, Cathy, Swords, Ronan, Brenner, Andrew J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Italy MDPI AG 01.01.2011; PAGEPress Publications
• Subjects: Biopsy; Bone marrow; bone marrow biopsy; core biopsy; Pain; powered biopsy; trephine biopsy; core biopsy; trephine biopsy; bone marrow biopsy; powered biopsy
• ISSN: 2038-8330; 2038-8322; 2038-8330
• DOI: 10.4081/hr.2011.e8

Bone marrow sampling remains essential in the evaluation of hematopoietic and many non-hematopoietic disorders. One common limitation to these procedures is the discomfort experienced by patients. To address whether a Powered biopsy system could reduce discomfort while providing equivalent or better results, we performed a randomized trial in adult volunteers. Twenty-six subjects underwent bilateral biopsies with each device. Core samples were obtained in 66.7% of Manual insertions; 100% of Powered insertions (p = 0.002). Initial mean biopsy core lengths were 11.1 ± 4.5 mm for the Manual device; 17.0 ± 6.8 mm for the Powered device (p < 0.005). Pathology assessment for the Manual device showed a mean length of 6.1 ± 5.6 mm, width of 1.0 ± 0.7 mm, and volume of 11.0 ± 10.8 mm3. Powered device measurements were mean length of 15.3 ± 6.1 mm, width of 2.0 ± 0.3 mm, and volume of 49.1 ± 21.5 mm3 (p < 0.001). The mean time to core ejection was 86 seconds for Manual device; 47 seconds for the Powered device (p < 0.001). The mean second look overall pain score was 33.3 for the Manual device; 20.9 for the Powered (p = 0.039). We conclude that the Powered biopsy device produces superior sized specimens, with less overall pain, in less time.