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. 2022 Jul 5;30(4):266-271.
doi: 10.4103/jmu.jmu_184_21. eCollection 2022 Oct-Dec.

Presence of Color Transition in Biopsy Specimens Predicts Outcome of Liver Lesion Biopsies

Fleur Sophie Gittinger  1 , Laura Wetterich  1 , Patrick Michl  1 , A Cristina Ripoll  1
Affiliations

Presence of Color Transition in Biopsy Specimens Predicts Outcome of Liver Lesion Biopsies

Fleur Sophie Gittinger et al. J Med Ultrasound. .

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the presence of tissue transition in liver lesion biopsies to predict a successful outcome, as observed by modified macroscopic on-site evaluation (MOSE).

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of 264 ultrasound-guided liver lesion biopsies, examining the influence the presence of tissue transition (visible color changes in biopsy specimens as evaluated visually) has on two endpoints (1) material retrieval, (2) attaining a definitive diagnosis) representing successful liver lesion biopsies, compared to previously evaluated variables in this context. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed using SPSS 21.0.

Results: Material retrieval and a definitive diagnosis occurred in 224/264 (84.8%) and 217/264 (82.2%) cases, the latter occurring more often when visual inspection revealed macroscopic tissue transition (92/96 [95.8%]) than when not (124/165 [75.2%]), P < 0.001. Tissue transition in biopsies was more common in secondary (74/162 [45.7%]) than (18/54 [33.3%]) primary liver lesions, though this was not significant (P = 0.112). On multivariate analysis, tissue transition in biopsies was an independent predictor of a definitive diagnosis and material retrieval.

Conclusion: In liver lesion biopsies, MOSE of color transition in biopsies can indicate success. This is easily incorporated into clinical practice and can help overcome the lack of an on-site pathologist.

Keywords: Color transition; liver lesion biopsy; macroscopic on-site evaluation.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Biopsy specimen from a liver metastasis; the metastatic tissue is offset as whitish- pink tissue from the surrounding brown liver tissue
Figure 2
Figure 2
Flowchart of patients included in study
Figure 3
Figure 3
Number of definitive diagnoses and material retrieved from the liver lesion biopsy
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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