[Incidence of ultrasound detectable liver hematomas after ultrasound controlled fine needle puncture with the 0.95 mm cutting biopsy cannula in comparison with percutaneous liver biopsy with the 1.4 mm Menghini needle].
BACKGROUND
Recently, a high incidence of ultrasound-detected hepatic hematomas due to percutaneous liver biopsy has been reported. Until yet, little is known about the incidence of asymptomatic hepatic hematomas following sonographically guided fine-needle biopsy.


METHODS
For that reason, we carried out a prospective study with sonographic examinations before and after liver biopsy in 160 patients. 51 patients, aged 50 to 83, median 67 years, with focal liver lesions had ultrasound-guided liver biopsy using the 0.95 mm-cut biopsy-needle, in 109 patients (17 to 80, median 49 years) with diffuse liver disease percutaneous liver biopsy with the 1.4 mm-needle of Menghini was performed.


RESULTS
After fine-needle biopsy none of the 51 patients with focal liver lesions displayed liver hematoma on ultrasonography. In the group of patients who underwent percutaneous Menghini biopsy a liver hematoma, sized up to 12 x 5 cm in diameter, occurred four times (3.7%).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study indicate that fine-needle biopsy of the liver is a particularly safe diagnostic procedure, when compared with percutaneous Menghini biopsy.
Glaser
J
J
Abteilung für Allgemeine Innere Medizin und Gastroenterologie, Herz-Jesu-Krankenhaus Fulda.
Mann
O
O
von Eiff
M
M
Pfahlberg
A
A
Pausch
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation*
Inzidenz sonographisch nachweisbarer Leberhämatome nach ultraschallgezielter Feinnadelpunktion mit der 0,95-mm-Schneidbiopsiekanüle im Vergleich zur perkutanen Leberbiopsie mit der 1,4-mm-Menghini-Nadel.