Overcoming contraindications in liver biopsy: n-butyl cyanoacrylate tract embolization for high-risk cases
Abstract
Objective: Liver biopsy is a well-established diagnostic method for assessing liver pathology. Percutaneous biopsy remains widely used but carries a risk of bleeding, particularly in patients with coagulopathy or other contraindications. This study evaluates the effectiveness of using N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) for tract embolization following percutaneous liver biopsy to reduce bleeding risk in high-risk patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 50 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided liver biopsy with NBCA embolization between 2020 and 2024. Indications for biopsy included ascites, coagulopathy, anticoagulant use, and hypervascular masses. The primary outcomes assessed were diagnostic success and complication rates, particularly bleeding. Results: Patient ages ranged from 3 to 90 years, with a mean age of 53 (standard deviation: 24.28) years, and 54% were male. All procedures achieved sufficient tissue for diagnosis, with a 100% success rate, and no major complications or bleeding events were reported. Conclusion: Our findings support the safety and effectiveness of NBCA tract embolization as an adjunct to percutaneous liver biopsy, enabling safer diagnostic access for patients with contraindications. Further studies are encouraged to validate these findings and optimize protocol standardization.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Radiology and Organ Imaging
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Batuhan Kirişci
0009-0003-6871-2151
Türkiye
Tolga Zeydanlı
Türkiye
Özgür Özen
0000-0001-7122-4130
Türkiye
Fatih Boyvat
Türkiye
Early Pub Date
April 29, 2026
Publication Date
April 29, 2026
Submission Date
August 19, 2025
Acceptance Date
November 28, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 40 Number: 2