Retrospective study on CT findings of the sternal bone after bone marrow aspiration procedure in hematological patients

Abstract

We retrospectively studied the CT findings of sternal bone in 129 patients with hematological diseases who underwent bone marrow aspiration in Tokyo Metropolitan Bokutoh Hospital between August 2005 and July 2007. Sternal findings demonstrated sternal foramen (3 cases), incomplete fracture (1 case) and irregularity and decreased bone density of the visceral cortical bone (first intercostal space: 66 cases, third intercostal space: 3 cases). Irregularity and decreased bone density of the visceral cortical bone were significantly related to findings of decreased bone density in the third lumbar spine, indicating osteoporosis. These findings suggest that sternal bones demonstrated various bone diseases such as sternal foramen, fracture and osteoporosis, and that bone marrow aspiration from sternal bones might not be as safe as previously thought.