Efficacy, safety and diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound guided biopsies of focal liver lesions: a single center experience in 99 patients

Purpose: Histological assessment represents an important tool in the diagnostic evaluation of focal liver lesions. In this study, we analyzed the safety and efficacy and diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound guided biopsies of focal liver lesions in 99 patients. Patients and methods: 99 ultrasound guided liver biopsies were retrospectively evaluated. All lesions were initially detected by ultrasound or CT-scan. Biopsies were performed under sterile conditions with a 16 or 18 G biopsy needle and special ultrasound biopsy probe. Two or three biopsy specimens of the same focal lesion were obtained from each patient to…