Biotech Values

[RealGenius]

Liver Biopsy: since there is so much discussion, thought I would add a different perspective.
Our center does a medium to high number of liver tranplants. Within the last few years we have ramped up the number of biopsies we perform. It is the number one cause iatrogenic pneumothorax for our emtire health system. This has been a great concern; particularly when you consider only attending interventionalists perform the biopsies under realtime image guidance vs. interns placing central lines without imaging.
The impact is real and twofold. Patients frequently require chest tube placement and the event is reportable as a sentinel event.
So although biopsy may be more reassuring, there would be a significant increase in harm in performing them.