Complications of percutaneous needle biopsy

Liver biopsy: when, how, by whom, and where?

Liver biopsy remains an important diagnostic tool in the management of liver disease. Complications, though infrequent, are potentially disastrous. Risks and discomfort can be minimized with good technique, although prospective data to prove the superiority of one method over another are often lacking. Image direction is preferred in all cases, as is a transjugular approach when bleeding risks are judged to be high. Bleeding is essentially a random event. Outpatient liver biopsy is appropriate in almost every instance if immediate hospitalization facilities are available. It should be more widely practiced. Liver biopsies should only be done if, after thoughtful assessment, benefits are thought to exceed risks.

Percutaneous CT-guided biopsy: improved confirmation of sampling site and needle positioning using a multistep technique at CT fluoroscopy

We describe a new multistep procedure for CT fluoroscopy-guided core biopsy, which allows confirmation of the biopsy-sampling trough and the final needle tip position prior to sampling. Twelve lesions measuring < or =2 cm or in close proximity to vital structures were biopsied using commercially available biopsy systems. Diagnostic biopsies were obtained in all cases. Mean fluoroscopy time was 11.1 +/- 2.8 s per biopsy. This technique may have the potential to improve the accuracy and safety of CT-guided biopsy.