Liver biopsies in children – indications, techniques, results and complications. A single-centre study

Abstract

Liver biopsy is a safe and helpful diagnostic tool for many liver disorders. It can be performed using various techniques. Regardless of the technique, the liver biopsy is considered to be a safe procedure. We aimed to analyze the indications, techniques, results, and complications of liver biopsies in the paediatric age group. We retrospectively obtained the data from the medical history records of 63 paediatric patients who underwent the liver biopsy. The data were analyzed statistically. The most often performed type of biopsy was core needle biopsy (tru-cut), followed by core needle aspiration biopsy, fine-needle aspiration biopsy, open biopsy, and laparoscopic biopsy. Complications in the form of hematoma occurred only in 2 cases. The most common indications for the procedure were viral hepatitis monitoring/diagnosis, focal lesions, and autoimmune hepatitis. The histopathological results were predominantly hepatitis (viral and non-viral) and neoplasm. Liver biopsy is a safe procedure regardless of the technique used to obtain a tissue sample. Therefore, it should not be avoided when it is indicated.