ULTRASOUND-GUIDED PEDIATRIC LIVER-TRANSPLANT BIOPSY USING A SPRING-PROPELLED CUTTING NEEDLE (BIOPSY GUN)

Biopsy is the best way to diagnose allograft rejection, the most commo n complication following liver transplantation. The authors reviewed 9 9 consecutive ultrasound-guided cutting needle biopsies in 19 infants and children. Conscious sedation was used with 95 biopsies. General an esthesia was used with four biopsies, all in patients undergoing percu taneous biliary procedures at the same time. Ninety-eight biopsies wer e diagnostic. Only one major complication occurred: biloma. Ultrasound -guided cutting needle biopsy of pediatric liver transplant patients c an be performed safely and efficaciously.