Ultrasound-guided fine needle cutting biopsy for the characterization of diffuse liver diseases in bone marrow transplant patients.
Liver disease is a frequent complication in bone marrow transplant recipients and may occur early or late in the post-transplant period. Using ultrasound-guided fine needle (1.2 mm, 18 G) cutting biopsy, we studied six patients with undefined late post-BMT liver disease. No procedure-related complications occurred and all liver biopsies were informative, leading to changes in therapeutic approach. In our small series, the most frequent cause of hepatic damage was drug toxicity. US-guided fine needle cutting biopsy is a useful and easy tool for the work-up of unexplained post-BMT liver disease.
Division of Hematology, Federico II University Medical School, Naples, Italy.
M
M
Picardi
G
G
De Rosa
P
P
Muretto
L
L
Pezzullo
A
A
Raiola
B
B
Rotoli
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods*; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014465:Ultrasonics
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents