ECR 2018 / C-0898
The effect of needle size on the diagnostic adequacy of parenchymal liver biopsy samples
Keywords:
Interventional non-vascular, Liver, Management, Ultrasound, Biopsy, Transplantation, Cirrhosis
Authors:
A. Yates, R. O'Donohoe, R. Gibney; Dublin/IE
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2018/C-0898
Aims and objectives
- In our centre both 18-gauge (18G) and 16-gauge (16G) needles (Bard,
Max-Core) are used to obtain core liver biopsies under ultrasound guidance.
While a 16G needle provides a larger sample,
an 18G needle may be associated with a lower risk of complications,
including haemorrhage.
- The pathological diagnosis of diffuse parenchymal liver disease is dependant on an adequate core biopsy sample.
The number of portal tracts determines the adequacy of the biopsy sample 1.
Evaluation of samples with fewer portal tracts may decrease the accuracy of diagnosis,
grading,
and staging of disease.
- This audit compares the diagnostic adequacy of 16G and 18G parenchymal liver biopsy samples.
- An inadequate sample is less than 10mm length and/or less than six portal tracts 1.