Transjugular Liver Biopsy Following Left Lobe or Lateral Segment Transplantation in Pediatric Patients

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transjugular liver biopsy in pediatric patients with left lobe or lateral segment liver transplant.

This was a retrospective study of data from 104 transjugular liver biopsies (57 children) using an 18- or 19-G biopsy needle. Transjugular liver biopsy was selected due to coagulopathy and/or ascites in 56 (54%) procedures. The median patient age, body weight, and interval from liver transplantation were 56 months, 16 kg, and 2 months, respectively. Technical success was defined as adequate liver specimens yield determined by the operator at the time of procedure. Complications, the longest length of obtained liver specimens according to needle type, and adequacy for histological diagnosis were analyzed.

Biopsy using a biopsy needle was successfully achieved in 103 procedures (99%). In one procedure, liver samples were obtained using biopsy forceps following unsuccessful attempts with a biopsy needle. Major complication occurred in one procedure following biopsies using both a biopsy needle and biopsy forceps. The patient received transfusion to manage decreased blood pressure and hemoglobin levels although post-biopsy venography did not show extravasation. The median longest length of liver specimens using 18-G (n = 63) and 19-G (n = 40) needles were 10 mm (range, 5-20) and 10 mm (range, 5-20), respectively (p = 0.704). Liver specimens were adequate for histological diagnosis in all procedures.

Transjugular liver biopsy using a biopsy needle appears to be a safe and effective method to obtain liver specimens for histological diagnosis in pediatric patients with left lobe or lateral segment liver transplant.

Level 4, case series.