Ultrasound marking by gastroenterologists prior to percutaneous liver biopsy removes the need for a separate radiological evaluation

BACKGROUND/AIM: Ultrasound marking by radiologists prior to percutaneous liver biopsy (PLB) results in biopsy site adjustment, decreased pain related complications and improved tissue yield. Minimal data exists on the impact of ultrasound marking by gastroenterologists on these parameters. The study aim was to evaluate whether ultrasound marking by gastroenterologists results in improved PLB tissue yield, fewer needle passes and decreased biopsy failure rates compared to blind biopsy, eliminating the need for a separate radiological evaluation. METHODOLOGY: All PLB performed by gastroenterologists from June 1999 to February 2003 at the University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, were reviewed retrospectively. Data collected included ultrasound marked or blind PLB, demographics, indication, number of passes performed, and specimen length, if obtained. RESULTS: Four hundred and eighty PLB were included: 328 performed with ultrasound marking and 152 blind. Ultrasound marking by gastroenterologists prior to PLB resulted in fewer passes and longer specimens as well as a decreased failure rate in ultrasound marked compared to blind PLB. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound marking by gastroenterologists prior to PLB provided significantly larger tissue samples, fewer needle passes and a decreased biopsy failure rate compared to blind PLB. This removes the need for a separate radiological evaluation on the procedure day.