What is the Difference Between Lumbar Puncture and Bone Marrow Biopsy?

Lumbar puncture and bone marrow biopsy are both medical procedures used in diagnostic testing, such as cancer detection. The key difference between the two is the location where the needle is inserted and the type of sample collected:

• Lumbar Puncture: This procedure involves inserting a needle into the spinal canal to collect a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The needle is inserted into the lower back, between the bones of the lower part of the spine, also known as the lumbar spine.
• Bone Marrow Biopsy: This procedure involves inserting a needle into the bone marrow to collect a sample of solid bone marrow tissue. The needle is inserted into the hip bone to withdraw some of the bone marrow, which is then tested to determine if there are any abnormalities. There are two types of bone marrow tests: bone marrow aspiration, which collects a liquid sample of bone marrow, and bone marrow biopsy, which collects a solid sample of bone marrow.

Both procedures carry some risks, such as excessive bleeding and infection. The cost of a lumbar puncture is around $423, while the cost of a bone marrow biopsy is around $5,254.

Comparative Table: Lumbar Puncture vs Bone Marrow Biopsy

Here is a table comparing the differences between lumbar puncture and bone marrow biopsy:

Lumbar puncture and bone marrow biopsy are two different medical procedures used in diagnostic testing, such as cancer detection. Both techniques involve inserting a needle to collect respective samples for analysis, but they target different areas and collect different types of samples. Lumbar puncture collects cerebrospinal fluid from the spinal canal, while bone marrow biopsy collects a sample of solid bone marrow tissue from the hip bone or breastbone. The cost of a lumbar puncture is around $423, whereas the cost of a bone marrow biopsy is around $5,254.