[Unusual lethal outcome of percutaneous needle biopsy of the liver (author's transl)]

In a 71 year old patient liver needle biopsy caused death 18 days after biopsy was done, resulting from hemorrhage into the intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts. The biopsy had caused an acute exacerbation of a clinically latent cholangitis, followed by acute purulent pylephlebitis of intrahepatic branches with vascular arrosion. Data in the literature concerning complications after percutaneous or peritoneoscopic biopsy of the liver are quoted. The causes leading to the lethal outcome are discussed.