[Hepatic biopsy by transvenous approach in hemopathies with coagulation disorders]

Percutaneous liver biopsy is often contra-indicated in patients with blood diseases associated with disorders of coagulation. Transvenous liver biopsy was performed in 36 such patients who also presented with unexplained hepatic abnormalities. In 31 patients liver tissue sampling was sufficient for adequate evaluation of liver damage: malignant infiltration was confirmed in 21, and associated hepatic disorder was diagnosed in 10. Five patients had a histologically normal liver. This study shows that in patients with blood disease enough liver tissue can be obtained by transvenous biopsy for a diagnosis to be made.