Adequacy of percutaneous non-targeted liver biopsy under real-time ultrasound guidance when comparing the Biopince™ and Achieve™ biopsy needle.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the adequacy rates of percutaneous liver biopsies, in parenchymal liver disease, using the BiopinceTM (Argon Medical, Texas, TX, ) 16G and AchieveTM (Carefusion, Illinois, IL, USA) 18G biopsy needles in relation to the Royal College of Pathologists guidelines and to assess risk of complications.

METHODS: Data for all percutaneous non-targeted "medical" liver biopsies using the Biopince 16G and Achieve 18G biopsy needles were collected retrospectively over a 2-year period. Total biopsy core length and number of portal tracts was recorded along with adequacy of biopsy as assessed according to Royal College of Pathologists criteria.

RESULTS: In total, 194 percutaneous liver biopsies met the inclusion criteria; 53 using the Biopince needle and 141 using the Achieve needle. The mean total core length was 23 mm (SD 4.1) and 20 mm (SD 6.8) for the Biopince and Achieve needles, respectively (p = 0.0005). The mean number of portal tracts was 11 (SD 4.2) and 7 (SD 3.4) for the Biopince and Achieve needles, respectively (p < 0.0001). An adequate biopsy was obtained in 15 (31.3%) and 1 (1.3%) case using the Biopince and Achieve needles, respectively (p < 0.001). Compromised biopsies were obtained in 32 (66.7%) and 39 (50.6%) cases using the Biopince and Achieve needles, respectively. Inadequate biopsies were obtained in 1 (2%) and 37 (48.1%) cases using the Biopince and Achieve needles, respectively.

CONCLUSION: The Biopince 16G needle, when compared with the Achieve 18G needle, acquires a significantly greater total core length and number of portal tracts with significantly improved adequacy rates. There were no major complications associated with its use. Advances in knowledge: The Biopince 16G needle achieves significantly better specimen adequacy, when compared with the Achieve 18G needle and with no added major complications associated with its use.