title: Percutaneous liver biopsies guided with ultrasonography: a case series.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although liver biopsy is an easy procedure for hospitalized patients and outpatients, some complications may occur.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficiency, complications, safety and clinicopathological utility of ultrasonographic-guided percutaneous liver biopsy in diffuse liver disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  In our retrospective study, we evaluated ultrasound-assisted needle biopsies that were performed in outpatients from October 2006 to July 2010. The liver biopsies were performed following one-night fasting using the tru-cut biopsy gun (18-20 gauge) after marking the best seen and hypovascular part of the liver, distant enough from the adjacent organs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1018 patients were referred to our radiology department. Most of the patients had hepatitis B (60.6%). The biopsy specimens were recorded and sent to our pathology department for histopathological examination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the results of our series, percutaneous liver biopsy using the tru-cut biopsy gun guided by ultrasonography can be performed safely. We resolve that routine ultrasound of the puncture site is a quick, effective and safe procedure. The complication rate is very low. The US-assisted percutaneous liver biopsy should be used for all cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Emin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cakmakci
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kosti Can
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Caliskan
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Omer Naci
authors.initials: ON
authors.lastname: Tabakci
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tahtabasi
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Zeki
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Karpat
keywords: Biopsy; Specimen Handling; Ultrasonography