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Liver biopsy

Biopsy - liver; Percutaneous biopsy

 

A liver biopsy is a test that takes a sample of tissue from the liver for examination.

How the Test is Performed

 

Most of the time, the test is done in the hospital. Before the test is done, you may be given a medicine to prevent pain or to calm you (sedative).

The biopsy may be done through the abdominal wall:

  • You will lie on your back with your right hand under your head. You need to stay as still as you can.
  • The health care provider will find the correct spot for the biopsy needle to be inserted into the liver. This is often done by using ultrasound.
  • The skin is cleaned, and numbing medicine is injected into the area using a small needle.
  • A small cut is made, and the biopsy needle is inserted.
  • You will be told to hold your breath while the biopsy is taken. This is to reduce the chance of damage to the lung or liver.
  • The needle is removed quickly.
  • Pressure will be applied to stop the bleeding. A bandage is placed over the insertion site.

The procedure can also be done by inserting a needle into the jugular vein.

  • If the procedure is performed this way, you will lie on your back.
  • X-rays will be used to guide the health care provider to the vein.
  • A special needle and catheter (thin tube) is used to take the biopsy sample.

If you receive sedation for this test, you will need someone to drive you home.

 

How to Prepare for the Test

 

Tell your health care provider about:

  • Bleeding problems
  • Drug allergies
  • Medicines you are taking
  • Whether you are pregnant

You must sign a consent form. Blood tests are sometimes done to test your blood's ability to clot. You will be told not to eat or drink anything for the 8 hours before the test.

For infants and children:

The preparation needed for a child depends on the child's age and maturity. Your child's provider will tell you what you can do to prepare your child for this test.

 

How the Test will Feel

 

You will feel a stinging pain when the anesthetic is injected. The biopsy needle may feel like deep pressure and dull pain. Some people feel this pain in the shoulder.

 

Why the Test is Performed

 

The biopsy helps diagnose many liver diseases . The procedure also helps assess the stage (early, advanced) of liver disease. This is especially important in hepatitis C infection.

The biopsy also helps detect:

  • Cancer
  • Infections
  • The cause of abnormal levels of liver enzymes that have been found in blood tests
  • The cause of an unexplained liver enlargement

 

Normal Results

 

The liver tissue is normal.

 

What Abnormal Results Mean

 

The biopsy may reveal a number of liver diseases, including cirrhosis , hepatitis , or infections such as tuberculosis . It may also indicate cancer.

This test also may be performed for:

  • Alcoholic liver disease (fatty liver, hepatitis, or cirrhosis)
  • Amebic liver abscess
  • Autoimmune hepatitis
  • Biliary atresia
  • Chronic active hepatitis
  • Chronic persistent hepatitis
  • Disseminated coccidioidomycosis
  • Hemochromatosis
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C
  • Hepatitis D
  • Hepatocellular carcinoma
  • Hodgkin's lymphoma
  • Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
  • Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
  • Primary biliary cirrhosis
  • Pyogenic liver abscess
  • Reye syndrome
  • Sclerosing cholangitis
  • Wilson's disease

 

Risks

 

Risks may include:

  • Collapsed lung
  • Complications from the sedation
  • Injury to the gallbladder or kidney
  • Internal bleeding

 

 

Open References

References

Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2010:section IX.

Lomas DJ and Mannelli L. The liver and spleen. In: Adam A, Dixon AK, Gillard JH, Schaefer-Prokop CM, eds. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology: A Textbook of Medical Imaging . 6th ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 2014:chap 31.

 
  • Liver biopsy

    Liver biopsy - illustration

    A liver biopsy is not a routine procedure, but is performed when it is necessary to determine the presence of liver disease and to look for malignancy, cysts, parasites, or other pathology. The actual procedure is only slightly uncomfortable. Most of the discomfort arises from being required to lie still for several hours afterwards to prevent bleeding from the biopsy site.

    Liver biopsy

    illustration

    • Liver biopsy

      Liver biopsy - illustration

      A liver biopsy is not a routine procedure, but is performed when it is necessary to determine the presence of liver disease and to look for malignancy, cysts, parasites, or other pathology. The actual procedure is only slightly uncomfortable. Most of the discomfort arises from being required to lie still for several hours afterwards to prevent bleeding from the biopsy site.

      Liver biopsy

      illustration

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          Tests for Liver biopsy

           
           

          Review Date: 2/11/2015

          Reviewed By: Subodh K. Lal, MD, gastroenterologist with gastrointestinal specialists of Georgia, Austell, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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