Bone biopsies are procedures done to test for diseases affecting the bones. For patients with a fracture, bone biopsies are done to evaluate possible disorders that may have caused the fracture or any complications associated with the break. A bone biopsy can help physicians identify bone infections, distinguish between non-cancerous and cancerous masses, or identify other bone abnormalities, as noted by the Medical University of South Carolina.
Medication Complications
Medications are used in order to facilitate the a bone biopsy procedure. These medications help increase the safety and success of the biopsy. However, patients should inform their doctor if they have allergies to any medications or if they are taking medication prior to having a bone biopsy. These precautions can avert potential allergic or adverse reactions to medication given during the biopsy, reports MedlinePlus. Pregnant women should not be given certain medications that may affect the fetus, so physicians should only give drugs that have been approved for use in pregnant women. In addition, individuals with clotting problems or currently taking blood thinners may experience severe bleeding due to the medications given with procedure.
Reaction to Anesthesia
A bone biopsy may require either regional or general anesthesia, as well as local anesthesia. Either option carries some risks, according to Patient UK.
Some known complications of regional anesthesia include total spinal block, unconsciousness, hypotension and post-dural puncture headache. General anesthesia, on the other hand, may result in peripheral nerve damage, tooth damage, aspiration pneumonitis and anaphylaxis. Patients must remain under close observation throughout the procedure.
Needle Breakage
Since the biopsy needle punctures the bone, there is a chance that the needle will break, possibly causing damage to nerves, bones, organs and blood vessels near the puncture area, cautions MedlinePlus. Bone fractures, or further damage to existing fractures, may also occur. Damage caused by needle breakage may also increase the patient's risk of developing future fractures.
Infection
Complications can arise even after a bone biopsy procedure, according to the Medical University of South Carolina. One such complication is infection. Minor effects include swelling, pain and warmth around the affected biopsy area.
In some cases, however, severe skin or bone infection occurs. Severe infections are one of the most serious risks associated with bone biopsies. The lymph nodes become swollen and the body discharges pus. Associated symptoms of infection include high fever, headache, chills, pain with movement and redness and swelling of tissues around the biopsy site. Infection of this nature warrants immediate medical attention.
