Introduction: Percutaneous liver biopsy is a cornerstone in diagnosing various hepatobiliary disorders. It is generally a safe procedure. Bile leak is a very rare complication, with rates less than 0.001%.
Case Description/Methods: A 79 years old woman presented to the emergency department with severe right upper quadrant abdominal pain along with nausea and vomiting after undergoing an ultrasound-guided percutaneous liver biopsy for elevated liver enzymes. On examination, right upper quadrant tenderness was appreciated. Computed tomography (CT) and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the abdomen were suggestive of blood products within the gallbladder. She underwent Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for increased bilirubin. On Fluoroscopy, she was found to have a bile leak at the level of the common hepatic duct. A temporary plastic biliary stent was placed into the common bile duct (CBD).
Discussion: There are guidelines by the American Association for the Study of Liver and the Society of Interventional Radiology to prevent complications after percutaneous needle biopsies and liver biopsies. Utilizing ultrasound can help avoid injury to the gall bladder and large bile ducts. A biopsy of at least 2-3 cm length and 16 gauge caliber is considered sufficient. Patients should be closely observed for at least 2-4 hours after the procedure. Keeping a low threshold for prompt evaluation with appropriate imaging modalities and timely intervention can help overcome this challenge and reduce morbidity and mortality.
