title: The importance of experience in percutaneous liver biopsies guided with ultrasonography: a lesion-focused approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study is to emphasize the value of lesion-focused approach in ultrasonography (US)-guided solid liver lesion biopsies performed under our guidance.
  
  
  METHODS
  In our retrospective study, after the standard preparation for US-guidance solid liver lesion biopsy was accomplished, we performed standard intercostal approach and the biopsy procedure though one of our patients experienced a major complication (pneumothorax). After this undesirable case, we reviewed our biopsy procedure and performed a lesion-focused approach technique as described in this article. A Tru-cut biopsy gun (18 gauge) was used in this trial. The liver biopsies were divided into two groups according to the biopsy technique and all results were compared with each other.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 202 solid liver lesion biopsies were was performed under the guidance of US between October 2007 and July 2010. One major complication occurred in first group. All of the minor complications occurred in the first group. In group 2, there were no complications. For this reason, all patients in group 2 were discharged home after a few hours. Patients with minor complications in the first group were observed an average of 6 hours. Adequate tissue for pathological diagnosis was similar in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The lesion-focused approach technique has the potential to reduce both complication rates and patient incompliance. Percutaneous liver biopsies performed with this technique using real-time US guidance are convincing and clinically beneficial.
authors: Department of Radiology, Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Etfal Sokak, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors: Kosti Can
authors: KC
authors: Caliskan
authors: Emin
authors: E
authors: Cakmakci
authors: Irfan
authors: I
authors: Celebi
authors: Muzaffer
authors: M
authors: Basak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional