Transcaval biopsy of retroperitoneal fibrosis

An additional use of the transjugular hepatic Tru-cut biopsy needle is reported. A periaortic mass was biopsied with this device inserted through the femoral vein under fluoroscopy guidance. Based on the sampled tissue, a diagnosis of idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis was made. The procedure was well tolerated, and long-term follow-up confirmed the diagnosis. Transcaval retroperitoneal biopsy may represent an alternative to surgical biopsy of diffuse retroperitoneal disease in high operative-risk patients.