Delayed fatal hemorrhage from pseudoaneurysm of the hepatic artery after percutaneous liver biopsy

Am J Gastroenterol. 2001 Jan;96(1):233-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2001.03482.x.

Abstract

Hemorrhage is the most common serious complication of percutaneous liver biopsy. Liver biopsy is usually done in an outpatient setting because most significant hemorrhage is evident within a few hours after biopsy. Delayed hemorrhage occurs much less frequently but carries a much higher mortality. We present a 41-yr-old man with chronic hepatitis C who underwent a percutaneous liver biopsy uneventfully but was found to have a pseudoaneurysm of the hepatic artery 5 days later. Shortly after admission, the patient experienced bleeding into the liver from the pseudoaneurysm, which was controlled initially by angiographic embolization. However, recurrent bleeding could not be controlled by repeat angiography and surgical intervention, and the patient expired. The diagnosis and management of pseudoaneurysm of the hepatic artery complicating liver biopsy is reviewed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aneurysm, False / diagnostic imaging
  • Aneurysm, False / etiology*
  • Aneurysm, False / therapy
  • Angiography
  • Biopsy, Needle / adverse effects*
  • Biopsy, Needle / methods
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Hemorrhage / diagnosis
  • Hemorrhage / etiology*
  • Hemorrhage / therapy
  • Hepatic Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Hepatic Artery / injuries*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / pathology
  • Humans
  • Liver / pathology
  • Male
  • Multiple Organ Failure / etiology
  • Risk Assessment