Transjugular liver biopsy in patients with end-stage renal disease

To assess the efficacy and safety of transjugular liver biopsy (TJLB) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who are undergoing hemodialysis treatment.

Forty-six consecutive patients with liver disease who were undergoing hemodialysis were included in this study. An 18-gauge Tru-cut transjugular needle with a 20-mm throw was used to obtain liver tissue. All procedures were performed under fluoroscopic guidance. A single pathologist reviewed the biopsy specimens and assessed the size of fragments, number of portal tracts, and adequacy of the specimens for histologic diagnosis. All complications were recorded. The results were compared with the outcomes of percutaneous liver biopsy carried out at our institution in 32 patients with ESRD.

TJLB and percutaneous biopsy techniques yielded adequate specimens for histologic diagnosis in all patients. The mean length of the largest fragments of tissue obtained via the transjugular and percutaneous routes were 16 mm +/- 4 and 14 mm +/- 3, respectively (P = NS). There were no major complications among patients who underwent TJLB. Percutaneous liver biopsy was complicated by hemorrhage in four of 32 patients (12%), three of whom required blood transfusion.

TJLB is an effective and safe technique to obtain liver tissue in patients with ESRD and is associated with a lower complication rate than percutaneous liver biopsy.