Aspiration liver biopsy.

BACKGROUND

Traditional and disposable liver biopsy needles are expensive and add to economic burden in developing countries where the prevalence of liver disease requiring liver biopsy is high.

AIM

To compare the technique of suction aspiration using a disposable syringe and an ordinary 40 mm long 18 gauge needle (internal diameter 1.27 mm), with Vim-Silverman's needle in obtaining liver tissue in patients with liver disease of various etiology.

METHODS

Liver biopsy was performed in 60 patients each using either technique. The size of the biopsy tissue obtained and the number of times a diagnosis was reached with the two techniques were compared.

RESULTS

The mean size of tissue obtained by suction aspiration (11.2 mm) was greater than that by the Vim-Silverman technique (6.3 mm) (p = 0.001). The tissue sample was inadequate for opinion in 3 patients in the aspiration group and in 10 patients in the Vim-Silverman group (p = ns).

CONCLUSION

Suction aspiration liver biopsy can be done satisfactorily using disposable syringe and 18 gauge needle.