title: Fatality following a sternal bone marrow aspiration procedure: a case report.
abstract: A 58-year-old man was admitted to hospital for the investigation and treatment of pancytopaenia and anaemic heart failure but four days later he died following a sternal bone marrow aspiration procedure. The autopsy revealed a significant haemopericardium as a result of a puncture wound of the heart. The thickness the body of the sternum was 2 to 3 mm. No other significant pathology was noted and death was ascribed to a haemopericardium due to a puncture wound of the heart associated with bone marrow aspiration. An inquest was held at which the doctor who undertook the procedure was found not to be negligent.
authors.affiliation: Forensic Pathology Services, Department of Health, Limpopo Province, South Africa. drblkbhootra@yahoo.com
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Bhootra
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001344:Autopsy; D001856:Bone Marrow Examination / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019300:Medical Errors; D011677:Punctures / Q000009:adverse effects; D013249:Sternum / Q000502:physiology*