Complications of percutaneous liver biopsy in living donor liver transplantation: Two case reports

Rationale: According to previously published studies, major complications arising from a percutaneous liver biopsy are rare and occur in less than 0.1% of cases. This report describes an approach to percutaneous liver biopsy that can help avoid damage to the liver in a living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) setting. Patient concerns: Case 1: In the first case a donor percutaneous liver biopsy (PLB) of both lobes of the liver was performed for pre-LDLT evaluation. The ultrasonography (US)-guided epigastric right-angle approach and an automatic one-handed cocking disposable 18G biopsy gun was used to puncture the left liver lobe to determine the presence of fatty liver. A penetrating liver injury occurred, accompanied by massive bloody ascites (about 700 cc) and subcapsular hematoma at the left lateral segment. The bleeding was managed by bi-polar coagulation during the transplant and the following liver donation procedure proceeded smoothly without any subsequent complications. Case 2: In the second case, selective right lobe PLB for clinical assessment after LDLT was performed in the recipient. Hemorrhagic shock occurred following a puncture of the right posterior branch of the right hepatic artery when using the biopsy-gun via the right lateral intercostal approach. Diagnoses: Extravasation was documented by angiography and emergent transhepatic arterial embolization was performed. Intervention: Extravasation was documented by angiography and emergent transhepatic arterial embolization with glue:lipiodol (1:4) was performed to stop bleeding. Outcomes: The recipient survived after medical management. Lessons: To prevent complications, the right-angle approach of PLB may be changed to an oblique angle using a one-fire biopsy-gun. Use of a manual Menghini’s needle should be considered for left lobe liver biopsies. Since US-guided manual Menghini’s needle for PLB can be observed with the needle tip inserted in the liver, needle-mediated compromising of the major vessels or biliary tree can be prevented, and it does not penetrate the liver again. A superficial puncture less than 0.5 cm away from the liver surface should be made during right lobe liver biopsy. This approach can help to avoid damage to the hepatic artery.