Transjugular liver biopsy. An update

Transjugular liver biopsy was first reported in 1967. Since then, this technique has been broadly performed in many medical centers around the world. The number of its indications has increased, and by modifying the needles, the quality of the liver tissue sample has improved. The advantage of transjugular biopsy is that it can be performed in patients in whom the use of percutaneous biopsy is contraindicated Indications for transjugular liver biopsy are, precisely, most of the contraindications for percutaneous liver biopsy. This fact increases the number of patients that can benefit from this procedure. In most cases, the procedure is successfully performed. Minor complications may occur in 1% to 15% and major complications (perforation of the hepatic capsule, cholangitis, and intra-peritoneal bleeding) are observed in 1-3% of the cases. Mortality related to the procedure varies form 0.2 to 0.3%. It has been reported that diagnosis yielded by transjugular liver biopsy induced changes of treatment in 50% of patients with an acute hepatic illness, in 62% of the patients with a chronic hepatic illness, and in 87% of the patients with liver transplants. In conclusion, transjugular liver biopsy is a useful procedure in the diagnosis of hepatic diseases. Its success rate is high; it is a very safe procedure because complications and mortality are rare; and it is well tolerated by patients.