Percutaneous liver biopsies in children and assessment of its usefullness

ABSTRACT

Review of 80 percutaneous liver biopsies is done to determine the usefulness of this invasive procedure in the diagnosis of specific liver diseases. The biopsies were performed in children admitted with clinical suspicion of liver disease. Thirtyfive liver biopsies were done in children in whom there was clinical and/or biochemical suspicion of chronic liver disease. Though histopathological confirmation was possible in 82.86% cases, a clue to the underlying aetiology was reported in only 2.5% cases. Twentyeight children presented with unexplained hepatomegaly and/or splenomegaly. Liver function tests and routine haematological investigations were inconclusive. Storage disorders were detected on liver biopsies in 67.8% [19/28] cases. Prolonged recurrent jaundice was the indication for liver biopsy in eleven children. Severe intrahepatic cholestasis was the principal finding on histopathology of liver. The underlying aetiology was not determined on histopathology