title: Blind percutaneous liver biopsy in infants and children: Comparison of safety and efficacy of percussion technique and ultrasound assisted technique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Liver biopsy remains the most reliable method to diagnose various hepatic disorders in children. We aimed to assess the technical success and complication rate of ultrasound (US) assisted percutaneous liver biopsy versus transthoracic percussion guided technique in paediatrics.
  
  
  METHODS
  This randomized controlled study included all cases performing liver biopsy at Paediatric Hepatology Unit, Cairo University Paediatric Hospital over 12months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients were 102 cases; 62 were males, with age range 18days to 12years. Fifty seven procedures were done using the percussion guided technique and 45 cases were US assisted. The total number of complicated biopsies was 14 (13.7%), with more serious complications occurring in the percussion group. Complications were more frequent with younger age, lower platelet count, number of passes and occurrence of hypotension.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  US assisted percutaneous liver biopsy, although more costly, but may be safer to perform particularly in younger age.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Kasr Alainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Engy A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Mogahed
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Kasr Alainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Yasmeen A
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Mansy
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Kasr Alainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Yasmeen
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Al Hawi
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Kasr Alainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Rokaya
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: El-Sayed
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Kasr Alainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El-Raziky
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Kasr Alainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. Electronic address: hanaakaraksy@kasralainy.edu.eg.
authors.forename: Hanaa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: El-Karaksy
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001201:Ascites / Q000209:etiology; D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000150:complications; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010474:Percussion; D010976:Platelet Count; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional
keywords: Children; Liver biopsy; Percussion technique; Ultrasound assisted