Percutaneous fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the pancreas resulting in death.

Percutaneous fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the pancreas presents a slightly higher risk of complications than does biopsy of other abdominal organs, occasionally leading to death. In the case we discuss, computed tomographic (CT)-guided percutaneous fine-needle aspiration biopsy of a pseudolesion of the uncinate process resulting in hemorrhagic pancreatitis and the death of the patient within 1 week of the procedure.