Needle Biopsy of the Liver

Abstract

Complications of Liver BiopsyMost needle biopsies are free of complications. Klatskin¹⁹⁴ reported that more than 80 per cent of 352 needle biopsies were without mishap (Table 1). Terry,¹⁹⁵ reviewing 7532 biopsies noted 24 "significant" complications, an incidence of only 0.23 per cent.Pain, the most frequent complication of liver biopsy, variously reported in 5 to 50 per cent of patients,⁵ is usually short lasting and may be controlled readily by routine analgesics.¹⁹⁶ Perhaps, the best indication of this is the willingness of almost all patients to permit repeat biopsy. Multiple biopsies have been performed on many patients, as many . . .