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Effectiveness and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous liver biopsy in children

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Abstract

Background

Percutaneous liver biopsy (PLB) is an important procedure in the diagnosis and follow-up of paediatric liver disease. Its purpose is to obtain tissue for histopathological observation, in our case, with ultrasound (US) guidance.

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of US-guided PLB in children.

Material and methods

A retrospective study over a period of 12 years, from January 1999 until December 2010, with a selection of US-guided PLB performed in children with focal liver lesions or diffuse hepatic disease and liver transplant (LT). A 16-gauge automatic needle was used and a maximum of three fragments of liver were collected. Contraindications were: bile duct dilatation (>3 mm) INR > 1.5 (reference range, 0.9 -- 1.2) and platelet count <50,000 (reference range, 150,000 -- 450,000). Analysis focused on complications and final diagnosis.

Results

A total of 513 biopsies were performed, 379 (73.9%) in children who had undergone orthotopic LT, 117 (22.8%) in children with liver disease of unknown cause and 17 (3.3%) in children with focal hepatic lesions. Histological diagnosis was obtained in 509 of 513 (99.3%) biopsies performed. Minor complications were registered in 38 patients (7.4%) and major complications occurred in 5 patients (1%). None needed a surgical intervention.

Conclusion

US-guided PLB in children is a safe and efficient method to achieve a specific diagnosis in liver disease.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Radiology Department, Hospital Pediátrico Carmona da Mota, Av. Afonso Romão, Santo António dos Olivais, 3000-602, Coimbra, Portugal

    Hugo Matos, Maria José Noruegas & Conceição Sanches

  2. Hepatology Department, Hospital Pediátrico Carmona da Mota, Av. Afonso Romão, Santo António dos Olivais, 3000-602, Coimbra, Portugal

    Isabel Gonçalves

Authors
  1. Hugo Matos
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  2. Maria José Noruegas
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  3. Isabel Gonçalves
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  4. Conceição Sanches
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Correspondence to Hugo Matos.

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Matos, H., Noruegas, M.J., Gonçalves, I. et al. Effectiveness and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous liver biopsy in children. Pediatr Radiol 42, 1322–1325 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-012-2433-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-012-2433-z

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