Percutaneous CT-guided biopsy of adrenal masses: immediate and delayed complications.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the immediate and delayed complications of percutaneous adrenal biopsy and any relationship between biopsy methods and complications.


METHODS
Medical records and radiological examinations of 83 percutaneous adrenal biopsy were reviewed. Indication for biopsy, inpatient/outpatient status, lesion size and location, imaging modality used, needle type, size, approach and number of passes, biopsy results, immediate complications, and delayed complications were recorded.


RESULTS
Computed tomography was used in 79 cases (95%) and ultrasound in 4 (5%). The biopsy approach was posterior in 37 cases, transhepatic in 33, transpancreatic in 9, anterior in 2, transsplenic in 1, and lateral in 1. The total complication rate was 8.4% and was slightly higher for the transhepatic approach (12%) than the posterior approach (8%). Seven complications occurred: two pneumothoraces, two pain, one perinephric hemorrhage, one subcapsular and intrahepatic hematoma, and one hepatic needle-tract metastasis. The posterior approach was complicated by the two pneumothoraces and perinephric blood; the transhepatic was used in the other four. Five of the complications occurred with 22 gauge needles.


CONCLUSIONS
Percutaneous adrenal biopsy is a safe procedure. Complications occurred in 7 of our patients (8.4%).
Mody
M K
MK
Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Hospitals, Ann Arbor 48109-0326, USA.
Kazerooni
E A
EA
Korobkin
M
M
D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*