Retroperitoneal Hemorrhage Caused by Trephine Biopsy

Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2019 Sep;40(3):289-292. doi: 10.1097/PAF.0000000000000492.

Abstract

The bone marrow biopsy is usually a safe procedure; however, it can occasionally present important complications. These complications are not always immediately evident or quickly diagnosed and may include pain at the biopsy site, trauma to neighboring structures, vascular injuries, infection, transient pressure neuropathies, pneumoretroperitoneum, and hemorrhage. Several risk factors are recognized, including thrombocytopenia, concurrent use of anticoagulants, and the presence of an underlying myeloproliferative disorder. While several reports of adverse events have been published, only 2 deaths attributable to this procedure have been reported. We present 2 cases of fatal hemorrhage after bone marrow biopsy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biopsy / adverse effects*
  • Bone Marrow / pathology*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Hemorrhage / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Iliac Artery / injuries
  • Iliac Artery / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retroperitoneal Space / pathology*
  • Shock, Hemorrhagic / etiology*