Complications after ultrasound-guided biopsy of abdominal structures in dogs and cats: 246 cases (1984-1991).

Medical records of 195 dogs and 51 cats that underwent a total of 233 ultrasound-guided biopsies and 70 ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspirations were reviewed for diagnostic quality of the specimens obtained and for procedural complications. Three animals (1.2%) had major postbiopsy complications. All 233 animals that underwent ultrasound-guided biopsy were examined ultrasonographically immediately after biopsy. Thirteen (5.6%) were determined to have minor localized hemorrhage. Of the 233 biopsy specimens, 226 (97%) were considered to be of adequate quality for histologic interpretation. Results of cytologic examination of 59 (84.3%) of 70 specimens obtained by fine-needle aspiration correlated with the final diagnosis made during surgical exploration or at necropsy.