Success of an ultrasound guided liver mass biopsy is determined by needle size and liver lesion depth

Purpose: Ultrasound guided puncture is the preferred method for histological sampling of liver lesions. Nevertheless, data evaluating factors influencing the outcome of this procedure are scarce. Therefore we aimed to evaluate predictors of a successful ultrasound guided liver mass puncture. Material and methods: Retrospective analysis of all liver mass punctures performed in 2012 – 2013 in a university hospital was performed. Patient, lesion (depth and size) and technical characteristics of the biopsy as well as final diagnosis and complications were recorded. Successful biopsy was defined by histological accor…