Liver Biopsy
View other tests
What is the
test?
A liver biopsy is a procedure to obtain a sample
of your liver tissue so that it can be examined
under a microscope. Liver biopsy is useful for
determining the cause of hepatitis and for making
decisions about how best to treat it. A liver
biopsy can also be used to diagnose cancer in
the liver.
Back to top >
How
do I prepare for the test?
You will need to sign a consent form giving
your doctor permission to perform this test.
You will most likely have an ultrasound done
before the biopsy so your doctor can see the
size of your liver.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic
reaction to lidocaine or the numbing medicine
used at the dentist's office. If you are taking
insulin, discuss this with your doctor before
the test. If you take aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs, or other medicines that affect blood clotting,
talk with your doctor. It may be necessary to
stop or adjust the dose of these medicines before
your test. You will also have blood tests to
find out if you are at extra risk for bleeding
after the procedure.
You will be told not to eat or drink anything
after midnight the night before the test. This
is a safety precaution in case you are one of
the rare patients who has a complication that
might require surgery on the same day as the
procedure.
Back to top >
What
happens when the test is performed?
Usually the liver biopsy is done in a special
procedure clinic called the endoscopy area of
a hospital. You wear a hospital gown. You have
your blood pressure and oxygen level monitored
with a blood pressure cuff and a finger clip.
An IV (intravenous) line is put into your arm
or hand in case you need to receive some fluid
during the procedure. (You would be likely to
need this only if you had a bleeding problem
from the test.)
The liver is located just under your ribs on
the right side. Your doctor taps on your right
rib cage and abdomen to find the edges of your
liver. If your liver is on the small side, the
doctor might use an ultrasound sensor to see
exactly where the top and bottom of the liver
are.
Medicine through a small needle is used to numb
the skin in one place over your lower ribs. The
numbing medicine usually stings for a second.
After this, the liver biopsy needle is inserted.
The biopsy needle is 5-6 inches long, but it
is not put that far inside you. A small piece
of liver tissue is captured inside the needle.
The needle is pulled out and the sample carefully
removed.
Most patients feel some definite soreness or
cramping in their side and right shoulder after
this test, but the soreness usually lasts for
only 10-15 minutes.
Back to top >
What
risks are there from the test?
This test is safe for most patients, but there
are some serious complications that can occur.
One in 200 patients has some bleeding from the
place where the needle went into the liver. When
this occurs, the blood usually stays inside the
sac that surrounds the liver and causes this
lining to stretch to the point that you feel
some pain for a few days. More serious bleeding
occurs in only 1 out of every 1,000-2,500 patients.
If you are one of the patients who has more serious
bleeding, there is a chance that you will need
surgery to stop the bleeding. Other risks include
injury to the lung, intestine, or gallbladder.
These rarely occur.
Back to top >
Must
I do anything special after the test is over?
After the biopsy, you will need to lie on your
right side for a full two hours. This is done
so that your weight puts pressure on the liver,
reducing the chances of bleeding. You will be
watched for four hours after that, with your
blood pressure getting checked every now and
then to make sure there is no sign that you are
bleeding inside. Usually the doctor will allow
you to eat and drink during this time.
You should not do any heavy lifting or aerobic
exercise for a couple of days, while your liver
is healing.
Back to top >
How
long is it before the result of the test is
known?
Examination of your liver sample by pathology
doctors takes close to five days.
Back to top >
View
other tests |
HOME
MY
CART
