(Biopsy-Liver, Percutaneous Liver Biopsy)
A liver biopsy is a procedure in which tissue samples from the liver are removed for examination under a microscope to look for signs of damage or disease. It is used to diagnose many liver conditions. During a liver biopsy, tissue samples are removed with a special needle to determine if cancer or other abnormal cells are present, or to determine how well the liver is working.
There are three types of liver biopsies:
If your doctor wants to sample a specific area of the liver, the biopsy may be performed in the radiology department, guided by ultrasound (high-frequency sound waves), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, a combination of large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer), or computed tomography (CT scan, a combination of X-rays and computer technology).
Other related procedures that may be used to diagnose liver problems include abdominal X-rays, CT scan of the liver, liver scan, and abdominal ultrasound. Please see these procedures for additional information.
The liver is the largest organ in the body. It is located in the upper right side of the abdomen, beneath the diaphragm, and on top of the stomach, right kidney, and intestines. Shaped like a cone, the liver is a dark reddish-brown organ.
The liver holds about one pint (13 percent) of the body's blood supply at any given moment. The liver consists of two main lobes, each made up of thousands of lobules. These lobules are connected to small ducts that connect with larger ducts to ultimately form the hepatic duct. The hepatic duct transports the bile (fluid that helps break down fats and gets rid of wastes in the body) produced by the liver cells to the gallbladder and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine).
The liver carries out many important functions, such as:
A liver biopsy is useful to diagnose conditions of the liver that cannot be determined by symptoms or lab tests. When a person has an enlarged liver, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes due to bile pigments in the blood), or abnormal lab tests that suggest liver disease, a biopsy may be done.
A liver biopsy may be performed to diagnose:
There may be other reasons for your doctor to recommend a liver biopsy.
As with any surgical procedure, complications can occur. Some possible complications may include, but are not limited to, the following:
If the liver biopsy is performed with the aid of X-ray technology, the amount of radiation used is considered minimal. Therefore, the risk for radiation exposure is low.
Liver biopsy may be contraindicated in persons with conditions that affect the blood’s ability to clot, severe ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdomen), or infection of the biliary tract or in the area of the abdomen around the liver.
There may be other risks depending on your specific medical condition. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your doctor prior to the procedure.
A liver needle biopsy may be performed on an outpatient basis or as part of your stay in a hospital. The liver biopsy may be performed in a procedure room, in a hospital bed, or in the radiology department. Procedures may vary depending on your condition and your doctor’s practices.
Generally, a percutaneous (through the skin) liver biopsy follows this process:
Your recovery process will vary depending on the type of procedure performed and your doctor’s practices. You may be taken to the recovery room for observation if your procedure was done in a procedure room or in the radiology department. Once your blood pressure, pulse, and breathing are stable and you are alert, you may be taken to a hospital room or discharged to your home.
You will be asked to rest quietly, lying on your right side, in order to apply pressure to the biopsy site for one to two hours. Depending on your condition and your doctor’s preferences, you may be instructed to continue bedrest for an additional four to 24 hours.
A blood sample may be taken a few hours after the procedure to monitor possible internal blood loss.
If you are discharged home within a few hours after the procedure, you may be asked to continue bedrest for a specified period of time once you are at home.
Leave the bandage in place for as long as instructed (usually until the next day).
You will be instructed to avoid strenuous activity, such as heavy lifting for several days up to a week or longer. You should not cough hard or strain for several hours after the procedure.
The biopsy site may be tender or sore for several days after the liver biopsy. Take a pain reliever for soreness as recommended by your doctor. Aspirin or certain other pain medications may increase the chance of bleeding. Be sure to take only recommended medications.
Notify your doctor to report any of the following:
You may resume your normal diet unless instructed differently.
Your doctor may give you additional or alternate instructions after the procedure, depending on your particular situation.
The content provided here is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease, or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. Please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
This page contains links to other websites with information about this procedure and related health conditions. We hope you find these sites helpful, but please remember we do not control or endorse the information presented on these websites, nor do these sites endorse the information contained here.
Hepatitis Foundation International
National Cancer Institute - Cancer Topics
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)