An ideal bone marrow core biopsy sample for optimal evaluation of anemia should be approximately 1-2 cm in length. A larger core is desirable for the evaluation of lymphoma or metastatic carcinoma. The core biopsy should be red, with grossly identifiable bone particles. What you do not want to see is a sample that is uniformly white or shiny. A solid white core biopsy usually indicates that cortical bone was sampled. A glistening sample may indicate that cartilage was sampled. However, metastatic carcinoma may present with a similar, glistening appearance.
A core sample is collected using a large bore biopsy needle that is inserted and twisted into the bone to obtain a sample of bone with bone marrow inside it. The image* illustrates the body site where the bone marrow core biopsy is normally obtained.
