Diaphragmatic and subcutaneous seeding of hepatocellular carcinoma following fine‐needle aspiration biopsy

Abstract

The risk of seeding following fine-needle biopsy aspiration of hepatocellular carcinoma can no longer be considered negligable. The real risk is probably underestimated. Even for biopsy of lesions localized to the inferior part of the liver, diaphragmatic seeding is possible. This seeding necessitates surgical resection, increasing the therapeutic morbidity of hepatocellular carcinomas. We believe that in cases where investigation of a small hepatic tumor suggests a hepatocellular carcinoma that could be resected, or for candidate patients for liver transplantation. one should not puncture the tumor. If this diagnostic biopsy is essential, then the needle track could be resected upon surgery, after cutaneous external tattooing.