[Subcutaneous seeding on the tract of percutaneous cytologic puncture with a fine needle of a hepatic metastasis from colonic adenocarcinoma]

Abstract

Subcutaneous seeding after percutaneous ultrasonically guided fine needle aspiration of liver tumours is a rare complication and only a few cases have been reported. We report a new case of cutaneous implantation following a fine needle (21.5 gauge of external diameter) aspiration biopsy of a superficial colonic liver metastasis, as shown by a subcutaneous nodule and increased serum carcinoembryonnary-antigen. We discuss the risk factors of this rare complication, especially the thickness of the liver parenchyma along the needle tract and precautions which can be taken for prevention.