title: Transjugular liver biopsy: a comparison of aspiration and trucut techniques.
abstract: The results of 67 transjugular liver biopsies are described. Two failures were encountered due to inability to pass the needle into acutely angulated hepatic veins. Thirty-four patients underwent a liver aspiration biopsy using a Colapinto needle, while the remainder were biopsied using a trucut needle. The success rate with the Colapinto needle was 68% and with the trucut model, 97%. Capsular perforation occurred in three cases, but without significant morbidity or mortality. It is concluded that the trucut needle biopsy is more reliable than aspiration biopsy, when the transjugular approach is mandated, in obtaining optimal liver tissue for histopathological diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Christian Medical College Hospital, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Sada
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ramakrishna
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Govil
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Koshi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chandy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods*; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male