Transfemoral liver biopsy by forceps: a review of 104 consecutive procedures.

PURPOSE

Transvenous liver biopsy is performed on patients with contraindications to percutaneous biopsy. Transfemoral liver biopsy has not been widely reported, and we present our experience of 104 consecutive procedures.

METHODS

During a 30-month period, 88 patients underwent 104 transfemoral liver biopsies. Under fluoroscopic guidance a 9 Fr curved introducer catheter is passed into the right hepatic vein via a standard femoral sheath. A 7 Fr biopsy forceps is then passed into the liver, opened and wedged. Prior to biopsy, the image intensifer is rotated so the relation of the capsular surface to the biopsy site is verified and capsular perforation avoided.

RESULTS

Tissue samples obtained in 97 of 104 procedures (93%) were adequate for diagnosis in 83 (80%). Complications occurred in six procedures (6%) including two capsular perforations; the latter two were treated by coil embolization.

CONCLUSION

We found transfemoral liver biopsy using forceps to be a safe, well-tolerated procedure with a high diagnostic yield and it is a technically easy alternative to the transjugular approach using large needles.