**5. Conclusions**

**Figure 3.** Syrius red staining of the liver specimen of CHC patient with present fibrosis in dilated portal space (thick

Number of biopsies in the current study was lower, however even the number of mild com‐ plications was relatively low. Moreover, no serious adverse events were noted among chil‐ dren from the study group. Noted complications included puncture of larger bile ducts and pain after the procedure. Although the results were not statistically significant, both prob‐ lems were more frequent in children undergoing blind liver biopsy. Ultrasound assistance during the whole procedure was found to reduce the number of potential consequences [7]. Thus, ultrasound guidance even performed right before and after the biopsy makes the whole procedure safer. Since the majority of complications occur within first hours after the liver biopsy all children were monitored for 24 hours after the procedure as inpatients. Al‐ though hospitalization increases the costs of the procedure, monitoring enables quick re‐ sponse to encountered complications and prompt treatment, if necessary. Another issue is general anesthesia performed in small children in order to obtain liver sample. Although costly, general anesthesia decreases fear, pain and enables to perform the procedure in safe circumstances, reducing the risk of hemorrhage caused by lack of cooperation from the pa‐

arrow) and porto-portal bridging. Magnification 40x.

80 Liver Biopsy – Indications, Procedures, Results

tient side.

Percutaneous liver biopsy is safe even in small children. Although severe complications are rare, patients require frequent monitoring. Ultrasound guidance seem to reduce the number of complications. Remaining a golden standard, the liver biopsy has certain limitations and drawbacks that influence the results.
