Percutaneous biopsy of liver tumors with color Doppler US guidance.

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous liver biopsy is a well-established procedure. Aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of color Doppler ultrasound (US) for guiding percutaneous biopsy of liver tumors in patients at high risk of bleeding.

METHODS

Forty-seven patients with severe, uncorrectable coagulopathy (platelet count < 50 x 10(9)/L and/or prothrombin time ratio [normal/patient] < 50%) were submitted to percutaneous biopsy of focal liver lesions using a 21 G cutting needle. The procedure was guided by color Doppler US, avoiding the needle cross into any liver or tumor vessel.

RESULTS

Biopsy material was adequate for pathological reading in 46/47 cases (97.9%). No major post-biopsy complication was observed. In particular, no case of hemoperitoneum was detected on US examinations performed 2 hours after biopsy. Minor complications (including one subcapsular hematoma) occurred in 4 patients (8.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

Color Doppler US can safely guide percutaneous liver biopsy in patients at high-risk of bleeding.