ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of US-guided percutaneous gun biopsy through the left lobe of the liverwith compression for the diagnosis of diffuse hepatic diseases and prevention of post-biopsy complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 35 patients with diffuse hepatic diseases, we performed US-guided percutaneous biopsy via the left lobe of the liver. After biopsy, we immediately applied an extrinsic hands-on compression maneuver at the biopsy site. The integrity of tissue architecture and numbers of portal triad visible in each specimen were histologically examined and post-biopsy complications were documented. RESULTS: A histopathologic diagnosis could be made in all patients except one(97.1%). Microscopically, no significant crush artifact or fragmentation was demonstrated in these 34 patients. The average number of portal triad per specimen was about 4.1. Although two patients complained of severe pain at the biopsy site, no serious post-biopsy complication was noted. CONCLUSION: US-guided percutaneous gun biopsy through the left lobe of the liver with compression appears to be an effective and safe procedure for the evaluation of diffuse hepatic diseases.