Is sternal bone marrow needle biopsy still a hazardous technique? Report of three further fatal cases.

Three fatal cases of death following sternal bone marrow needle biopsy have come to the authors' attention in the past 10 years. The hazards of the technique may be related to the incongruous stylet guard-adjustment for the thickness and hardness of the sternal wall. All three cases involved suits for professional malpractice. Controversial aspects of these cases involving physician liability are discussed.