Complications of percutaneous transhepatic catheterization of the portal vein and its tributaries.

The complications of percutaneous transhepatic catheterization of the portal vein and its tributaries were assessed in 406 patients in whom 440 examinations had been performed and 8 unsuccessful attempts. Clinically relevant complications consisting of abdominal or external hemorrhage occurred in 24 cases with fatal outcome in 3. Complications involving the right pleural space occurred in 13 patients: collection of ascitic fluid in 6, bile effusion in 5 and bleeding in 2. Laparotomy was needed in 7 cases due to intraabdominal hemorrhage. The gallbladder was unintentionally punctured in 4 cases. Furthermore, a variety of minor complications of little clinical significance, such as extravasation of contrast medium, subintimal injection of contrast medium and minor intrahepatic hematomas, were observed.