Liver Biopsy: Is it Safe in Children?

Abstract

Introduction: The blind liver biopsy technique has been widely used in Sudan as the availability of the ultra sound machines and the committed Pediatrics Radiologist were not always at hands. Liver biopsy is an essential tool in the diagnosis of liver diseases and subsequently, initiating the appropriate treatment.
Objective: The aim of the study was to observe the safety of blind liver biopsy in our children. Methods: One hundred fifty consecutive liver biopsies in hospitalized children were evaluated retrospectively. Using a standard percussion technique biopsy sites were chosen and through intercostals space blind liver biopsies were performed by TruCut biopsy needle. The study was conducted at Gafaar Ibn Oaf Specialized Children Hospital ,Khartoum Sudan, over the last five years, between January 2005-January 2010 .
Results: The first biopsy sample was considered macroscopically adequate in 94.8% of cases. A definitive histological diagnosis was possible in 99.1% of cases. seventy children were more than 5 years of age and of these 8 (11.4%) complained of pain at the biopsy site, external hemorrhage from the biopsy site was seen in 1 (0.6%) case but no sign of internal hemorrhage was detected during the 24 hours follow up period. No child died following the procedure.
Conclusions: Blind liver biopsy in the studied hospitalized children was found to be a safe procedure.

Key words: Menghini, intercostal, percutaneous, Cholestatic jaundice, hepatomegaly.