Needle Biopsy of the Liver

Complications of Liver BiopsyMost needle biopsies are free of complications. Klatskin194 reported that more than 80 per cent of 352 needle biopsies were without mishap (Table 1). Terry,195 reviewing 7532 biopsies noted 24 "significant" complications, an incidence of only 0.23 per cent.Pain, the most frequent complication of liver biopsy, variously reported in 5 to 50 per cent of patients,5 is usually short lasting and may be controlled readily by routine analgesics.196 Perhaps, the best indication of this is the willingness of almost all patients to permit repeat biopsy. Multiple biopsies have been performed on many patients, as many . . .