A liver biopsy is a simple procedure in which a small piece of tissue is removed so it can be examined. There are three ways to perform this procedure, each of which allows GI doctors to evaluate damage or diagnose diseases that do not show up in blood or imaging tests. If your gastroenterologist wants to perform a liver biopsy, here’s what you should know about the procedure.

Why It’s Recommended 

There are several scenarios in which a provider may recommend a liver biopsy for a patient. The procedure is typically recommended after an imaging or blood test provides an abnormal result. A liver biopsy may also be necessary for staging an existing diagnosis, developing a treatment plan, evaluating the efficacy of a particular approach, or monitoring the organ following a transplant. Liver biopsies help doctors to diagnose, stage, and treat chronic hepatitis B and C, fatty liver disease, primary biliary cirrhosis, and hemochromatosis. 

How It’s Performed

During a percutaneous biopsy — the most common kind — doctors insert a hollow needle into the liver through the abdomen, using ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) imaging as a guide. 

In a transvenous biopsy, a small incision is made in the neck. A needle is then inserted into the liver through a sheath through the jugular.

A laparoscopic biopsy uses a tiny camera at the end of a tube to view the liver after inserting it through a small incision. The provider looks through the camera to guide a needle to the liver so he or she can remove a small piece of tissue.

Although these procedures may sound more invasive than the typical biopsy, most patients make a full recovery within just one or two days. The most common side effect is bruising at or near the incision site. During recovery, your doctor will instruct you to take prescription or over-the-counter pain relievers that will not interfere with clotting. They may also want to examine the incision site during a follow-up appointment to ensure an infection has not developed. 

If you need to undergo a liver biopsy, turn to Naugatuck Valley Gastroenterology Consultants. Located in Prospect, CT, this practice was founded in 1989 and has provided quality and attentive care ever since. To explore all the services they provide, visit their website. Call them at (203) 756-6422 to make an appointment.