Safety and yield of percutaneous liver biopsy in adults and children with chronic hepatitis B: Results from a prospective, multicenter study

the Hepatitis B Research Network

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Abstract

Background: Prospective data regarding the safety and yield of liver biopsy in both adults and children with chronic hepatitis B are limited. The aim of this study is to report safety, yield, and complication rates among adults and children with chronic hepatitis B undergoing percutaneous liver biopsy. Methods: Data on the indication for procedural characteristics and complication rate for liver biopsies performed as part of the Hepatitis B Research Network were prospectively recorded on a study case report form and analyzed in aggregate. Results: Among 2506 adult and pediatric subjects enrolled in the Hepatitis B Research Network between 2011 and 2018, 465 (19%) underwent 491 liver biopsies for clinical or research reasons. Adequate liver tissue was obtained in 98% of the procedures. In total, there were 32 complications reported for 24 biopsies: 23 biopsies with 30 complications in adults and 1 biopsy with 2 complications in children. Pain (n = 19) and vasovagal reaction (n = 6) were the most common complications. There were 7 serious adverse events, including an arterioportal venous fistula, a pneumothorax, 4 cases of bleeding, and severe pain with no associated condition. There were no deaths. Conclusions: These data demonstrate that percutaneous liver biopsy is associated with a high yield of tissue (98%) and a rate of serious complications of 1.4% in both children and adults with chronic HBV. These results support the focused use of liver biopsy in the evaluation of novel treatments in development for chronic hepatitis B.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere0116
JournalHepatology Communications
Volume7
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2023

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hepatology

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