Transjugular liver biopsy using Tru-cut biopsy needle: KEM experience.

BACKGROUND AND AIM Transjugular liver biopsy is accepted procedure in patients in whom percutaneous liver biopsy is contraindicated. We report our experience with this procedure, its indications, efficacy and safety in Indian population over 5 years. MATERIAL & METHODS A retrospective study of 145 consecutive patients who had undergone transjugular liver biopsy from May 2002 to Nov. 2007 was done from the database maintained in our department. We evaluated the indications, technical success, complication and impact of histological diagnosis on the management of those patients. RESULTS 145 Transjugular liver biopsies were performed of which 74 were males and 71 were females aged between 5 and 74 years. Two procedures were abandoned due to failed hepatic vein cannulation because of venous occlusion. Out of 143 biopsies, 4 were inadequate while 139 yielded adequate tissue for histopathological diagnosis. Histopathological examination in our study showed cirrhotic changes in 56, hepatitis including both acute and chronic in 48, periportal fibrosis in 9, Wilson's disease in 5 and obstructive cholangiopathy in 2 patients. The remaining 19 were normal. Minor complications occurred in 2 patients. CONCLUSION Transjugular liver biopsy is a safe procedure in the trained hands and provides adequate tissue for diagnosis when percutaneous liver biopsy is contraindicated.