Transjugular liver biopsy with an automated trucut-type needle: comparative study with percutaneous liver biopsy

Transjugular liver biopsy using the suction method usually produces small specimens with excessive fragmentation, hence the diagnosis adequacy of specimens and the clinical impact of performing the biopsy have been questioned. An alternative biopsy needle, the Quick-Core needle system, which uses an automated trucut-type mechanism, has been shown to produce non-fragmented tissue specimens. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety, adequacy and clinical impact of the transjugular liver biopsy by comparing it with the standard percutaneous liver biopsy.

We recruited all patients who underwent liver biopsies by percutaneous or transjugular routes in the Department of Medicine, Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong between January 1998 and December 1999.

We recorded demographics and clinical features of patients, indications and complications, and the clinical impact of the liver biopsy procedure. All liver biopsy specimens were reviewed by the histopathologist, who was blinded to the approach of taking the biopsy. All variables between patients undergoing transjugular and percutaneous liver biopsies were compared.

During the study period, 50 percutaneous and 18 transjugular liver biopsies were performed. All transjugular liver biopsies were performed successfully with adequate tissue for diagnosis. Although specimens obtained by the transjugular technique tended to be shorter (10 mm v. 18 mm by the percutaneous approach, P < 0.001), the presence of fragmentation was similar to that in biopsies obtained by the percutaneous approach. Respectively, 100% and 98% of specimens obtained by the transjugular and percutaneous approaches were considered to be adequate for histological assessment. The clinical impact of transjugular and percutaneous liver procedures was comparable (89% v. 76%, P = 0.25).

Specimens obtained by a transjugular automated trucut needle are sufficient for histological assessment, and carry clinical impact in patient management.