LIVER BIOPSY

What is a liver biopsy?

A liver biopsy is a procedure to remove a small piece of the liver so it can be examined with a microscope for signs of damage or disease.

What is the liver?

The liver is a vital organ with many important functions.

Removes harmful chemicals from the blood
Fights infection
Helps digest food
Stores nutrients and vitamins
Stores energy

When is a liver biopsy performed?

A liver biopsy is performed when a liver problem is difficult to diagnose with blood tests or imaging techniques, such as ultrasound and x ray. More often, a liver biopsy is performed to estimate the degree of liver damage—a process called staging. Staging helps guide treatment.

How does a person prepare for a liver biopsy?

At least 1 week before a scheduled liver biopsy, patients should inform their doctor of all medications they are taking. Patients may be asked to temporarily stop taking medications that affect blood clotting or interact with sedatives, which are sometimes given during a liver biopsy.

How is a liver biopsy performed?

There are three main types of liver biopsy, all of which remove liver tissue with a needle. A liver biopsy may be performed at a hospital or outpatient center.

How soon do results come back from a liver biopsy?

Results from a liver biopsy take a few days to come back. The liver sample goes to a laboratory where the tissue is stained. Staining highlights important details within the liver tissue and helps the pathologist identify signs of liver disease. The pathologist looks at the tissue with a microscope and sends a report to the patient's doctor.

How long does it take to recover from a liver biopsy?

Most patients fully recover from a liver biopsy in 1 to 2 days. Patients should avoid intense activity, exercise, or heavy lifting during this time. Soreness around the incision site may persist for about a week. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or other pain medications that do not interfere with blood clotting may help. Patients should check with their doctor before taking any pain medications.

What are the risks of a liver biopsy?

Pain at the biopsy site is the most frequent risk of percutaneous liver biopsy, occurring in about 20 percent of patients. The risk of excessive bleeding is about 1 in 500 to 1 in 1,000. Risk of death is about 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 12,000. If bleeding occurs, a procedure called embolization can be used to stop the bleeding. In some cases, a blood transfusion is necessary. Surgery can also be used to stop a hemorrhage. Other risks include puncture of other internal organs, infection, and spread of cancer cells, called cancer seeding.