Liver biopsy
Liver biopsy Definition The liver is a pyramid-shaped organ that lies within the upper right side of the abdomen. In a typical liver biopsy, a needle is inserted through the rib cage or abdominal wall and into the liver to obtain a sample for examination. The procedure can also be performed by inserting a needle into the jugular vein in the neck and passing a catheter through the veins down to the liver to obtain the sample. Alternative Names Biopsy - liver; Percutaneous biopsy Why the Test is Performed The biopsy helps diagnose a number of liver diseases. The biopsy also helps in the assessment of the stage (early, advanced) of the liver disease. This is especially important in hepatitis C infection. The biopsy also helps detect: * cancer * infections * the cause of an unexplained enlargement of the liver * abnormal liver enzymes that have been detected in blood -*test*-('")s How the Test is Performed The -*test*-('") is usually done in the hospital. You may be given a sedative or pain medication by injection before the -*test*-('"). If the approach is through the abdominal wall, you will be lying on your back with your right hand under your head. It is important to be as still as possible. The health care provider will examine the liver and determine the correct spot for the biopsy needle to be inserted. The skin will be cleansed, and a small needle will be used to inject a local anesthetic to numb the area. A small incision is made, and the biopsy needle is inserted. You will then be instructed to hold your breath while the biopsy is taken. This is to reduce the chance of puncturing the lung or tearing the liver. The needle is inserted and removed quickly. Pressure will be applied to stop bleeding, and a bandage is placed over the insertion site. If the procedure is performed by the transjugular approach, you be lying on your back on a table. The internal jugular vein in the neck will be located. The skin will be cleansed, and a small needle will be used to inject a local anesthetic to numb the area. A needle is then inserted to pass a catheter that is moved down to the liver. X-ray equipment will be used to check the location of the catheter. A specialized needle is then used through the catheter to obtain the biopsy sample. How to Prepare for the Test Tell your health care provider about: * drug allergies you may have * medications you are taking * bleeding problems you may have * whether you are pregnant You must sign a consent form. Blood -*test*-('")s are sometimes done to -*test*-('") for the ability to clot. You may not eat or drink anything for the 8 hours before the -*test*-('"). For infants and children: The preparation you can provide for this -*test*-('") depends on your child's age and experience. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following: * infant -*test*-('") or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year) * toddler -*test*-('") or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years) * preschooler -*test*-('") or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years) * schoolage -*test*-('") or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years) * adolescent -*test*-('") or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years) How the Test Will Feel There is a stinging pain with the anesthetic needle and the anesthetic being injected. The biopsy needle may be felt as a deep pressure and dull pain. This pain is sometimes felt in the shoulder. Risks The most serious risk is internal bleeding. There is a possibility of a collapsed lung and injury to the gallbladder or the kidney. Normal Results The liver tissue is normal. What Abnormal Results Mean The biopsy may reveal a number of liver diseases such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, or infections such as tuberculosis. It may also indicate cancer. Additional conditions under which the -*test*-('") may be performed: * alcoholic liver disease (hepatitis/cirrhosis) * amebic liver abscess * autoimmune hepatitis * biliary atresia * chronic active hepatitis * chronic persistent hepatitis * coccidioidomycosis; disseminated * delta agent (hepatitis D) * hemochromatosis * Hepatitis C * hepatocellular carcinoma * Hodgkin's lymphoma * non-Hodgkin's lymphoma * primary biliary cirrhosis * pyogenic liver abscess * Reye's syndrome * sclerosing cholangitis * Wilson's disease Review Date: 2/14/2005 Reviewed By: Christian Stone, M.D., Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch). The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2006A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. adam.com
Liver biopsy Definition The liver is a pyramid-shaped organ that lies within the upper right side of the abdomen. In a typical liver biopsy, a needle is inserted through the rib cage or abdominal wall and into the liver to obtain a sample for examination. The procedure can also be performed by inserting a needle into the jugular vein in the neck and passing a catheter through the veins down to the liver to obtain the sample. Alternative Names Biopsy - liver; Percutaneous biopsy Why the Test is Performed The biopsy helps diagnose a number of liver diseases. The biopsy also helps in the assessment of the stage (early, advanced) of the liver disease. This is especially important in hepatitis C infection. The biopsy also helps detect: * cancer * infections * the cause of an unexplained enlargement of the liver * abnormal liver enzymes that have been detected in blood -*test*-('")s How the Test is Performed The -*test*-('") is usually done in the hospital. You may be given a sedative or pain medication by injection before the -*test*-('"). If the approach is through the abdominal wall, you will be lying on your back with your right hand under your head. It is important to be as still as possible. The health care provider will examine the liver and determine the correct spot for the biopsy needle to be inserted. The skin will be cleansed, and a small needle will be used to inject a local anesthetic to numb the area. A small incision is made, and the biopsy needle is inserted. You will then be instructed to hold your breath while the biopsy is taken. This is to reduce the chance of puncturing the lung or tearing the liver. The needle is inserted and removed quickly. Pressure will be applied to stop bleeding, and a bandage is placed over the insertion site. If the procedure is performed by the transjugular approach, you be lying on your back on a table. The internal jugular vein in the neck will be located. The skin will be cleansed, and a small needle will be used to inject a local anesthetic to numb the area. A needle is then inserted to pass a catheter that is moved down to the liver. X-ray equipment will be used to check the location of the catheter. A specialized needle is then used through the catheter to obtain the biopsy sample. How to Prepare for the Test Tell your health care provider about: * drug allergies you may have * medications you are taking * bleeding problems you may have * whether you are pregnant You must sign a consent form. Blood -*test*-('")s are sometimes done to -*test*-('") for the ability to clot. You may not eat or drink anything for the 8 hours before the -*test*-('"). For infants and children: The preparation you can provide for this -*test*-('") depends on your child's age and experience. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following: * infant -*test*-('") or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year) * toddler -*test*-('") or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years) * preschooler -*test*-('") or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years) * schoolage -*test*-('") or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years) * adolescent -*test*-('") or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years) How the Test Will Feel There is a stinging pain with the anesthetic needle and the anesthetic being injected. The biopsy needle may be felt as a deep pressure and dull pain. This pain is sometimes felt in the shoulder. Risks The most serious risk is internal bleeding. There is a possibility of a collapsed lung and injury to the gallbladder or the kidney. Normal Results The liver tissue is normal. What Abnormal Results Mean The biopsy may reveal a number of liver diseases such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, or infections such as tuberculosis. It may also indicate cancer. Additional conditions under which the -*test*-('") may be performed: * alcoholic liver disease (hepatitis/cirrhosis) * amebic liver abscess * autoimmune hepatitis * biliary atresia * chronic active hepatitis * chronic persistent hepatitis * coccidioidomycosis; disseminated * delta agent (hepatitis D) * hemochromatosis * Hepatitis C * hepatocellular carcinoma * Hodgkin's lymphoma * non-Hodgkin's lymphoma * primary biliary cirrhosis * pyogenic liver abscess * Reye's syndrome * sclerosing cholangitis * Wilson's disease Review Date: 2/14/2005 Reviewed By: Christian Stone, M.D., Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch). The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2006A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. adam.com