title: Safety of blind liver biopsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to observe the safety of blind liver biopsy in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred fifteen consecutive liver biopsies in hospitalized children were evaluated retrospectively. Using a standard percussion technique biopsy sites were chosen and through intercostal space blind liver biopsies were performed by TruCut biopsy needle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The first biopsy sample was considered macroscopically adequate in 94.8% of cases. A definitive histological diagnosis was possible in 99.1% of cases. Sixty nine children were more than 5 years of age and of these 8 (11.6%) complained of pain at the biopsy site. External hemorrhage from the biopsy site was seen in 1 (0.9%) case but no sign of internal hemorrhage was detected during the 24 hours follow up period. No child died following the procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Blind liver biopsy in the studied hospitalized children was found to be a safe procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Shabagh, Dhaka, Bangladesh. karimb@bangla.net
authors.forename: A S M
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Bazlul Karim
authors.forename: Mizanur
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rahman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies