Computed tomography guidance in bone marrow aspiration for diagnosis of marrow necrosis and metastasis

Bone marrow necrosis is most frequently diagnosed at postmortem examination. Antemortem diagnosis is still uncommon. We illustrate four cases where initial bedside attempts at needle aspiration and biopsy of primary and metastatic tumor tissue from the sternum were complicated by inadequate specimen retrieval secondary to marrow necrosis and/or tissue destruction by tumor. In these cases, CT guidance was useful in the precise localization of the bulk of the tissue mass and consequently the successful retrieval of adequate diagnostic specimens. We demonstrate CT guidance as an excellent and convenient alternative in circumstances where adequate marrow aspirations and biopsies are difficult and complicated.