Computed tomography of the liver after biopsy

Abstract

Angiographic studies suggest that needle biopsy of the liver is invariably associated with some degree of haemorrhage (Wallace et al., 1972). The appearances of the liver on computed tomography after percutaneous biopsy have not been described. As an aid to the interpretation of scans in patients referred because of clinical complications of biopsy, we performed unenhanced computed tomography of the liver in 30 patients within 72 h of biopsy. None of these patients would ordinarily have been referred for computed tomography. Only one of the scans showed a parenchymal abnormality attributable to biopsy. We conclude that post-biopsy changes on unenhanced computed tomography scans of the liver are uncommon and that the needle tracks and vascular anomalies commented on by angiographers are not usually shown.