title: Sampling variability and its influence on the diagnostic yield of percutaneous needle biopsy of the liver.
abstract: In an investigation to determine the influence of sampling variability on the diagnostic yield of liver biopsy, 3 consecutive samples were obtained from each of 75 patients by redirecting the biopsy needle through a single entry site. In 14.7% of patients all 3 specimens were normal, and in 36% there were similar abnormalities in all 3 specimens. In the other patients, sampling variability between specimens was present. In those patients with cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, metastatic carcinoma, or hepatic granulomas the histological abnormality was present in all 3 biopsy specimens in only 50%, 54.5%, 50%, and 18.8% of patients, respectively. No complications were recorded. These findings show that important pathology can be overlooked if only a single biopsy specimen is taken, and that the method of obtaining 3 consecutive specimens improves the diagnostic yield of liver biopsy without an associated increase in complications.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Maharaj
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Maharaj
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Leary
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Cooppan
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Naran
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pirie
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Pudifin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006099:Granuloma / Q000175:diagnosis; D006529:Hepatomegaly / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000175:diagnosis; D014386:Tuberculosis, Hepatic / Q000175:diagnosis