An improved transilial crest bone biopsy drill for quantitative histomorphometry

Transilial crest bone biopsy with quantitative histomorphometry is an important technique for the assessment of metabolic and endocrine bone disease. The surface area of the histologic section suitable for histomorphometric analysis is reduced by the build-up of bone dust and by trabecular fracture, produced by the conventional Bordier bone drill. We describe here a modification of this drill that both allows escape of dust from around the cutting edge of the teeth and greatly reduces bone dust volume and trabecular fracture. In paired samples the new drill was shown to improve significantly the quality of the biopsy specimens. © 1986.