The Endovascular Management of an Iatrogenic Superior Gluteal Artery Rupture Following Bone Marrow Biopsy

Endovascular management of iatrogenic arterial injury post bone marrow biopsy: A report of 3 cases

Bone marrow biopsy is an important tool for the evaluation of malignant and benign hematologic disorders. Performed blindly, usually with a Jamshidi biopsy needle penetrating the posterior iliac crest bone, the procedure is generally considered safe but rarely complications are observed; vascular complications associated with bleeding are the most serious and potentially life-threatening. We describe 3 cases of arterial injury following a bone marrow biopsy procedure, all treated successfully with minimal invasive endovascular management, and emphasize the need for clinical awareness and recognition of this rare complication in order to facilitate rapid diagnostic and minimal invasive therapeutic interventions, when appropriate, for successful outcomes.

Bone marrow biopsies: A hospitalist bedside procedure service 5-year experience

BACKGROUND

Bone marrow aspiration and biopsies (BMAB) are a relatively frequent procedure needed in the inpatient setting, especially in a tertiary care center.

OBJECTIVE

Procedure-focused hospitalists can provide an excellent option for doing inpatient BMAB. Here we present five years of experience with a hospitalist bedside procedure service (BPS) performing BMAB.

DESIGN

In 2016, the BPS partnered with the oncology service to begin performing inpatient BMAB.

SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS

We evaluated internally collected data from the procedures performed by the BPS from 2016-2020.

INTERVENTION

From 2015-2016, faculty members on the BPS team were trained by the oncology department to do a BMAB, which was then offered as an inpatient procedure by the BPS from 2016-2021.

MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES

Total number of BMAB performed, success rates, bleeding risk profiles of patients, rate of trainee participation, and complication rates.

RESULTS

The BPS performed a total of 432 BMAB from 2016-2021. Forty-six (10.6%) were unsuccessful and required referral for CT guidance. Elevated bleeding risk was present in 88 (20.4%) of patients. Trainees assisted in 62 (14.4%) of the procedures.There was one complication (0.2%).

A three-dimensional computed tomography study to determine the ideal method for fluoroscopically-guided bone marrow aspiration from the iliac crest

Bone marrow aspiration (BMA) through the iliac crest is potentially unsafe due to the vicinity of neurovascular structures in the greater sciatic notch. Our objective was to investigate the safety of a recently described BMA technique, specifically a trajectory from the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) to the anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS). We conducted a chart review of 260 patients, analyzing three-dimensional reconstructed computed tomography images of the pelvis and sacrum to validate that this new approach offers a wide safety margin from the greater sciatic notch. Analysis of three-dimensional computed tomography scans demonstrated that the PSIS to AIIS trajectory never crossed the greater sciatic notch. The trajectory was noted to be at least one cm away from the greater sciatic notch in all measurements. The new trajectory entered the PSIS at 25.29 ± 4.34° (left side) and 24.93 ± 4.15° (right side) cephalad from the transverse plane, and 24.58 ± 4.99° (left side) and 24.56 ± 4.67° (right side) lateral from the mid-sagittal plane. The area of bone marrow encountered with the new approach was approximately 22.5 cm2. Utilizing the same CT scans, the trajectory from the traditional approach crossed the greater sciatic notch in all scans, highlighting the potential for violating the greater sciatic notch boundary and damaging important neurovascular structures. Statistically significant sex-related differences were identified in needle trajectory angles for both approaches. We conclude that based on this three-dimensional computed tomography study, a trajectory from the PSIS to the AIIS for BMA may offer a wide safety margin from the greater sciatic notch.

Osteology of the ilium revised: illuminating the clinical relevance

BACKGROUND

Several studies on anterior and posterior pelvic ring fixation have identified a fragile monocortical area located at the iliac wing. However, there are no current studies regarding this structure's dimensions and relation to known anatomic structures.

METHODS

Eleven human ilia were dissected from 6 specimens. After debulking soft tissue, photoluminescence was used to indicate the fragile area. The size and thickness of the iliac wing were determined and mapped in relation to the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS).

RESULTS

This photoluminescent unicortical area measured 15.57 cm² with a mean minimal thickness of 1.37 mm at its thinnest part. Its average diameter was 41.15 mm horizontally and 37.45 mm vertically. In all cases, it was located at the middle third of the ilium with a mean distance of 64.58 mm to the AIIS and 62.73 mm to the PSIS. Trajectory angulation above 4.5° from the PSIS lead to violation of this area.

CONCLUSION

This study provides useful anatomical information regarding a thin unicortical area at the iliac wing that is relevant to anterior and posterior pelvic ring fixation and the potential complications that can arise from iatrogenic perforation of this area.

Retroperitoneal Hemorrhage Caused by Trephine Biopsy

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.