title: Complications of liver biopsy: the incidence of pneumothorax and role of post biopsy chest x-ray.
abstract: The incidence of pneumothorax and role of post biopsy chest x-ray were assessed in a prospective study of 120 consecutive patients using a standard biopsy technique. The incidence of pneumothorax was 0.8%. Post biopsy chest x-ray was not found to improve accuracy of diagnosis compared with clinical findings. Patients over the age of 60 years were at greater risk of pulmonary complications following liver biopsy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kavanagh
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McNulty
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Fielding
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012307:Risk Factors; D013909:Thorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014056:Tomography, X-Ray