EUS-Guided Liver Biopsy versus Percutaneous Liver Biopsy for the Evaluation of Liver Diseases: A Retrospective Study from a Tertiary Hospital in UAE

Background: Liver biopsy (LB) has historically been performed percutaneously. A newer method of obtaining an LB is by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guidance.

Aims: To compare the safety and efficacy of this new method with the standard technique.

Methods: It was a retrospective comparative study. All adult patients with undiagnosed abnormal liver enzymes were included. The EUS-guided liver biopsy (EUS-LB) procedure was done using 19 G Shark Core FNB needle (Medtronic). Two to three passes were taken. Percutaneous liver biopsy (PC-LB) was done by a single experienced radiologist under USG guidance with 18 Guage CorVocet needle (Meritmedica).

Results: Mean total core length (TCL) in EUS-LB = 18.9 mm (IQR: 15.3–;22.5); PC-LB = 22.6 mm (IQR: 19.0–;27.2), p = 0.04. Number of complete portal tracts (CPTs) in PC-LB = 26 (15–;36); PC-LB = 24 (17–;31) (p = 0.20).). Histologic diagnosis = 97.4% in the EUS-LB group, 98.7% in the PC-LB group (p = 0.541). Mean hospital stay in EUS-LB = 2 hours (1–;3 hours) vs. 3.9 hours (3–;6 hours) in PS-LB (p = 0.02). Pain requiring analgesics = 3 in EUS-LB and 75 in PC-LB group (p = 0.0005).

Conclusion: EUS-LB was safer, with less hospital stay, no pain, and more patient satisfaction than PC-LB, with comparable efficacy.

Publication History

Article published online:
22 April 2024