CT-guided bone marrow aspirations and biopsies: retrospective study and comparison with blind procedures

Purpose To compare the pathology results of CT-guided and blind bone marrow aspirations and biopsies. Methods Ninety-eight consecutive CT-guided biopsies and 98 age- and gender-matched blind (non-CT-guided) posterior iliac crest bone marrow aspirations and biopsies performed in 2017 were reviewed for adequacy of core biopsies and aspirate smears. CT procedure images and CT abdomen/pelvis images were reviewed to evaluate anatomic features of the posterior ilium and soft tissues. Statistical analysis was performed using a T test, Fisher exact test, and Kruskal-Wallis test. Results There was no significant difference in the age and gender of the two groups ( p > 0.05). However, the CT-guided group had a higher BMI ( p = 0.0049) and posterior soft tissue thickness ( p = 0.0016). More CT-guided biopsy samples (CT 93 (95%); blind 77 (79%); p = 0.0006) and aspirate smears (CT 90 (92%); blind 78 (80%); p = 0.042) were categorized as adequate. The CT-guided group had longer core lengths (CT 1.4 ± 0.6 (range 0.3–3.5) cm; blind 1.0 ± 0.60 (range 0–2.6) cm; p = 0.0001). Overall, 131/164 (80%) of the cases had at least one of the described features (slanted posterior ilium (angle > 30°), 30%; rounded posterior ilium, 20%; thick posterior ilium cortex, 13%; focal lesion in posterior ilium, 12%; prior procedure in posterior ilium, 5%; posterior soft tissue thickness > 3 cm, 40%). Conclusion CT-guided bone marrow procedures were more likely to result in both adequate aspirate smears and biopsy samples and longer core lengths when compared with blind procedures.