A liver biopsy is a medical exam in which a small piece of liver is taken to be analyzed under the microscope by the pathologist, so that it can diagnose or evaluate diseases that damage that organ, such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, systemic diseases that affect the liver or even cancer.
This procedure, also called a liver biopsy, is performed in the hospital, because the sample is taken from the liver with a special needle, in a procedure similar to minor surgery, and although rare, there may be risks, such as bleeding. .
- Usually.
- The person is not hospitalized and returns home the same day.
- Although it is necessary to go to the hospital accompanied.
- Because it is necessary to rest and will not be able to drive after the biopsy.
Liver biopsy is used to analyze liver changes, define diagnosis, and better plan treatment. Key indications include:
This procedure is performed only by medical indication and, in general, only when other tests that assess the presence of lesions and liver function have not provided the necessary information, such as ultrasound, tomography, liver enzyme measurement (AST, ALT), bilirubins or albumin, for example. Learn more about liver tests.
A needle, especially indicated in these cases, is often used for liver biopsy to try to take a sample with as little damage to the organ as possible.
Your doctor may use some different techniques, and the most common is percutaneous liver biopsy, in which the needle is inserted through the skin into your liver, located on the right side of your abdomen. The procedure should be performed under anesthesia or sedation and, although uncomfortable, it is not a pain-causing test.
In general, tests such as ultrasound or CT scan are used as a guide to locate the area to be reached, from which the sample will be taken. Your doctor takes about 3 samples and the procedure lasts about half an hour, depending on each case. Samples will then be analyzed under a microscope to assess for changes in cells.
Other ways to access the liver for a biopsy include inserting the needle into the jugular vein and reaching the liver through circulation, called the transjugular, or also during laparoscopic or open surgery, but are less common.
Before performing a liver biopsy, your doctor may recommend a fast of approximately 6 to 8 hours. In addition, it is advisable to discontinue the use of medicines that may interfere with blood clotting for about 1 week, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, anticoagulants or AAS, for example, which should be done in accordance with medical advice.
After a liver biopsy, the person should remain in the hospital for observation for approximately 4 hours. Your doctor may also monitor your blood pressure and other vital data to see if there are any complications and if it’s safe to leave the hospital, but in general, well-controlled people can go home the same day.
The person should leave the hospital with a bandage on the side of the abdomen, depending on the type of procedure, which should be removed at 2 days, at home, after a safe cure.
Before removing the dressing, be careful not to wet the gauze and check that it is always clean, and if there is bleeding, pus in the wound, fever, in addition to dizziness, fainting or severe pain, it is advisable to go to the doctor for an evaluation.
To relieve pain and discomfort, your doctor may recommend that you take a pain reliever, and it is not recommended to make an effort 24 hours after the procedure.
Although liver biopsy is a safe procedure and complications rarely occur, bleeding, perforation of the lung or gallbladder, and infection at the needle insertion site can occur.