Septicemia as a complication of percutaneous liver biopsy.

Three cases of septicemic shock after liver biopsy are reported. Escherichia coli was cultured in 2 patients and in 1 E. coli was cultured with Streptococcus viridans. All 3 patients were afebrile and had normal WBC counts before the procedure. Two had cholangitis and the 3rd had primary hepatoma and cirrhosis of the liver. Septicemic shock should be recognized as a rare complication of liver biopsy in patients with biliary obstruction.