Summary
1. A retrospective study of a series of 568 percutaneous liver biopsies performed on 518 patients is reported. Of the 568 biopsies, 382 were done with the Vim-Silverman needle, and 126 with the Menghini needle. In 56 instances, the needle used was not recorded but most probably was the Vim-Silverman one.
2. About 75 per cent of biopsies in patients with suspected carcinoma without adequate proof of liver metastases were positive for metastatic disease of the liver.
3. In patients with nonmalignant liver disease, 72 per cent of the biopsies served a useful clinical purpose in establishing or refuting a diagnosis.
4. At least two deaths—and possibly three—were related to the procedure, resulting in a mortality of 0.6 per cent in 518 patients, or 0.5 per cent in 568 biopsies. There were no deaths in the 126 Menghini-type biopsies.
5. The incidence of mortality and morbidity was no greater in patients with metastatic liver disease than in those with benign liver disease.
6. Metastatic liver disease is not a contraindication to liver biopsy and the latter may be of great help in clinical management of the patient.
7. Percutaneous liver biopsy is a simple and quite safe procedure when supervised by experienced physicians.
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References
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Parker, J.G., Simon, M., Zimetbaum, M. et al. Needle liver biopsy in benign and malignant disease: Comparison of the Menghini and Vim-Silverman technics. Digest Dis Sci 7, 687–698 (1962). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02236107
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02236107