Transjugular liver biopsy: histological diagnosis success comparing the trucut to the modified aspiration Ross needle

BACKGROUND: Transjugular liver biopsy is an alternative procedure for patients who present contraindications to standard percutaneous procedure. AIM: To compare the rate of histological diagnosis obtained on transjugular liver biopsy with an automated trucut needle and with a modified Ross needle. PATIENTS / METHOD: Eighty-five patients with suspicion of chronic liver diseases and presenting contraindications for percutaneous liver biopsy (coagulopathy, massive ascites, morbid obesity, or chronic renal problems) were submitted to 89 transjugular liver biopsies between March 1994 and April 2001 at "Hospital S?o José, Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misercórdia", Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. Thirty-five patients underwent 36 biopsies with an automated trucut needle, and 50 patients underwent 53 biopsies with a modified Ross needle. RESULTS: Histological diagnosis was reached in 32/35 subjects submitted to transjugular liver biopsy with the trucut needle (91%) and in 35/50 (70%) submitted to biopsy with the modified Ross needle. Specimens obtained with the trucut needle were significantly larger and less fragmented than those obtained with the Ross needle. CONCLUSION: Transjugular liver biopsy with the automated trucut needle allowed a higher rate of histological diagnosis when compared to the modified Ross needle in patients with suspicion of chronic liver diseases.