Intracholecystic hemorrhage: an atypical complication after liver needle biopsy.

The authors report an unusual case of intracholecystic hemorrhage related to liver biopsy in a 23-year-old man. Echography and computed tomography evidenced changes in density within the gallbladder which were probably caused by hemorrhagic discharge. Although the mechanism by which liver biopsy induced intracholecystic hemorrhage is unclear, the authors believe that this iatrogenic complication was probably the result of microlesions of the gallbladder wall caused by needle puncture: the lesions extended into the submucosa and provoked slow hematic leakage. The pain syndrome began 48 hours after biopsy. The peculiarity of this case report was confirmed by the fact that no bile was aspirated, no choleperitoneum was found, and no gallbladder tissue was detected in the sample. The authors conclude by recommending clinical and echographic control following liver biopsy.