Study finds increased incidence of hemorrhage in dogs that underwent ultrasound-guided liver biopsy

Liver biopsy is an integral part of the diagnosis in dogs with liver disease. But, hemorrhage has been a concern after performing a liver biopsy.

 A retrospective study used data from dos with suspected hepatobiliary disease and had a percutaneous ultrasound-guided liver biopsy (PUGLB). The purpose was to evaluate the extent of hemorrhage and the incidence of complications after PUGLB. A major hemorrhage was defined as an absolute decrease in the PCV (ΔPCV) ≥ by 6%. The complications were defined separately from hemorrhage, and it was described as a physiologic compromise that required intervention or death. Some intervention approaches determined, if needed, were resuscitative fluids or a blood transfusion. The changes in PCV, the coagulation variables, serum activity of liver-derived enzymes, serum bilirubin concentration, number of biopsies, radiologist experience, histological diagnosis, and ultrasound variables were compared in dogs with hemorrhage and without hemorrhages.

 Results showed that ΔPCV was highly associated with PCV before a biopsy. Twenty‐nine dogs had normal PCV and became anemic after a biopsy. No correlation was found between changes in PCV or complications in the variables studied.

This study revealed an increased incidence of silent and major hemorrhage in the dogs studied that underwent percutaneous ultrasound-guided liver biopsy.

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Hemorrhage and complications associated with percutaneous ultrasound guided liver biopsy in dogs