title: Liver transplant biopsies with a biopsy gun.
abstract: The authors evaluated the safety and efficacy of a biopsy gun for performance of image-guided percutaneous biopsy of hepatic allografts in liver transplant recipients. Two hundred fifty-two liver biopsies were performed in 58 transplant recipients over a 27-month period by using this instrument with an 18-gauge needle. Major complications occurred in two of the 252 biopsies (0.8%): One hemopneumothorax necessitated drainage with a chest tube, and one hemorrhage necessitated transfusion. No patient required surgical exploration because of a complication of the biopsy. Specimens were adequate for accurate histopathologic diagnosis in 248 of 252 procedures (98.4%). The authors conclude that image-guided percutaneous biopsy of hepatic allografts with use of the biopsy gun is a safe and accurate method of obtaining hepatic tissue from liver transplant recipients for histopathologic analysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Chezmar
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Keith
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Plaire
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Hertzler
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Bernardino
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D014463:Ultrasonography