How is a Liver biopsy performed?
A liver biopsy is a procedure to where a small piece of liver is removed to look for signs of damage or disease. The three main types of liver biopsy are percutaneous, transvenous, and laparoscopic but percutaneous is the most common. Most often, a needle is inserted through the skin and into the liver, then a small sample of liver tissue is removed and sent to the lab for further testing. Transvenous involves a neck vein while laparoscopic involves an abdominal slit. This procedure is performed in a hospital or outpatient clinic.
Liver biopsy may be ordered by your doctor if you have:
- Symptoms of a liver problem, such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes or dark urine)
- Abnormal liver imaging or blood tests
- A chronic liver condition
- Liver disease, which helps determine the severity and how the disease is progressing
- Liver monitoring after a transplant
A liver biopsy can also be performed to diagnose NAFL (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease), cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis B or C, liver cancer and autoimmune hepatitis.
References
Mayo Clinic. 2023. Liver Biopsy. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/liver-biopsy/about/pac-20394576
Cleveland Clinic. 2023. Liver Biopsy. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/procedures/9503-liver-biopsy
