Percutaneous liver biopsy in clinical practice

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Medical Imaging
• Pathology

Background:

• Percutaneous liver biopsy (PLB) is crucial for diagnosing and managing liver diseases.
• The use of liver biopsy (LB) is growing due to liver transplantation and new antiviral therapies.
• Ultrasound (US) guidance is increasingly utilized in PLB.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current clinical practices for PLB.
• To compare ultrasound-guided biopsy (UGB) with blind needle biopsy (BNB).
• To assess techniques, operators, needles, specimen quality, and complication risks.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing clinical practices for PLB.
• Analysis of controlled studies comparing UGB and BNB.
• Evaluation of complication rates, pain, and biopsy success.

Main Results:

• Ultrasound-guided biopsy (UGB) demonstrates superiority over blind needle biopsy (BNB).
• BNB is associated with a higher risk of major complications, postbiopsy pain, and biopsy failure.
• Evidence supports UGB as a safer and more effective method.

Conclusions:

• Percutaneous liver biopsy under ultrasound control is superior to blind needle biopsy.
• Ultrasound-guided biopsy (UGB) should be considered the standard of care for liver biopsies.
• UGB enhances patient safety and diagnostic accuracy in clinical hepatology.