Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 28, 2026
Measurement of the Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient and Transjugular Liver Biopsy
Published on: June 18, 2020
Transfemoral Transcaval Core-Needle Liver Biopsy: An Alternative to Transjugular Liver Biopsy
Jacob Cynamon1, Cyrus Shabrang1, Yosef Golowa1
1Department of Radiology, Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Montefiore Medical Center, 111 East 210th Street, Bronx, NY 10467.
Purpose:
To describe the technique and outcome of transfemoral transcaval (TFTC) core-needle liver biopsies.
Materials And Methods:
Retrospective chart review was performed on 121 patients who underwent transvenous liver biopsies at a single institution between February 2014 and July 2015, yielding 66 total TFTC liver biopsies for review (65.2% male; mean age, 53.2 y ± 15.0). From August 2014 through July 2015, TFTC biopsies accounted for 64 of 77 (83%) transvenous biopsies. Hepatic tissue was obtained directly through the intrahepatic inferior vena cava from a femoral venous approach. Procedural complications were classified according to Society of Interventional Radiology guidelines.
Results:
Of the 66 biopsies, technical success was achieved in 64 cases (97.0%). Histopathologic diagnoses were made in 63 cases (95.5%). Fragmented or limited specimens in which a pathologic diagnosis was still made occurred in four cases (6.1%). Complications occurred in two cases (3.0%). Venous pressure measurements were requested in 60 cases, and all were successfully obtained.
Conclusions:
TFTC core-needle liver biopsies are feasible and safe as demonstrated in this series of patients.
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