Liver biopsy
is a procedure in which a tissue sample is taken from the liver with the help
of a needle. Then it is sent to the lab for evaluation which helps the doctor
in diagnosing many diseases and liver diseases.
The most
common method of percutaneous liver biopsy is by inserting a small needle
through the abdomen to remove a small piece of tissue from the liver. There are
also two other methods of liver biopsy - one uses a neck vein while the other involves making a small incision in the abdomen
to remove the liver tissue from a needle.
Why is Liver Biopsy done?
Liver biopsy
is done to identify signs of damage and disease. It also determines the
severity of liver disease.
The doctor
will recommend a liver biopsy if you:
Liver test
results are abnormal which cannot be explained
Imaging test
showing multiple tumors or abnormalities in liver
Frequent
fever, lack of clarity
Liver biopsy
is usually performed to diagnose and stage certain liver diseases, including:
- Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
- Chronic hepatitis b or c
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Alcoholic liver disease
- Primary biliary cirrhosis
- primary sclerosing cholangitis
- Hemochromatosis
- Wilson Disease f
Precaution / Warning
What should I know before liver biopsy?
Liver biopsy
is not for everyone. It is not recommended if:
The patient
is unable to remain calm during the long duration of the procedure.
Suspected
Vascular List
Bleeding
tendency (eg, INR> 1.2 despite receiving vitamin K, bleeding time> 10
minutes)
Severe
thrombocytopenia (<50,000 / mL)
You will feel
some pain and uncomfortable feeling at the place of biopsy. There may also be
pain in your shoulders and back. You will be given a pen killer if necessary.
Liver biopsy
by an experienced doctor is absolutely safe. Possible risks:
It is normal
to feel pain and discomfort at the place after the biopsy. If you have more
pain, you may be given pain medications, such as acetaminophencodine (with
tylenol) with codeine.
Bleeding also
occurs after liver biopsy. In case of excessive bleeding, blood transfusion or
surgery may be required to prevent it.
Rarely,
bacteria can enter the abdominal cavity or bloodstream.
Occasionally
accidental injury may occur during liver biopsy. The needle may stick to an
internal organ such as the sacrum or lungs.
In the
transjugular process a thin tube is inserted into the large vein of the neck
that passes through the liver. Risks associated with transjugular liver biopsy:
Collection of
blood in the neck (hematoma). Blood may pool around the site where the catheter
was inserted, possibly causing pain and swelling.
Temporary
problem of facial veins. The transjugular process can sometimes cause damage to
the nerves of the face or eyes, which can cause problems such as drooping
eyelids for some time.
There may be
a voice-related problem for some time. The voice may decrease or go away for a
while.
The lungs may
be punctured. If the needle accidentally sticks to the lungs it can be damaged.
process
How to
prepare for Liver Biopsy?
While
preparing for a liver biopsy, you should:
The doctor
will have to tell you about your pregnancy, lame or heart condition, if you are
allergic to any medicine or have bleeding problems.
Tell the
doctor if you are taking any medicines to thin the blood. Before the procedure
the doctor will tell you any other alternative.
Talk to the
doctor about the procedure.
If any
necessary blood test has been done, tell.
Find out how
many hours before the procedure you have to eat nothing.
Make
arrangements to go home after the procedure.
Do not take
aspirin a few weeks before the procedure, do not take aspirin products or
anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, Naprosyn, etc.)
unless doctors recommend it. Do not stop any medicine already taken without
doctor's advice.
Lab tests can
be done on the day or 2-3 days before liver biopsy, as the doctor says. These
tests test blood count, platelet count and blood clotting ability.
What happens during liver biopsy?
This process
takes just 5 minutes. You can be kept in a 4-hour recovery room for
observation.
This test can
be done at a hospital or other health center. For this you have to come early
in the morning. The health team will examine your medical history and the
medications you take.
Before the
biopsy you should:
An IV line
will be placed in the arm vein so that medication can be given if needed.
Sedatives can
be given to enable you to relax during the procedure.
Use the
toilet if needed, as you will have to stay in bed for a few hours after the
procedure.
The stages of
liver biopsy may differ depending on the methods adopted for:
Percutaneous
biopsy. To begin your biopsy, the doctor will detect the liver by tabbing on
the abdomen or through an ultrasound picture. In some cases, ultrasound is used
to deliver the needle to the liver during a biopsy. You will lie on your back
and place your right hand on the table above the head. Where the needle is
injected, the doctor will apply the medicine to numb this part. The doctor then
makes a small incision under the rib cage on your right side and inserts a
biopsy needle. The biopsy takes just a few seconds. When the needle comes out
inside the liver, then you are asked to hold your breath.
Transjugular
biopsy. You will take the back of the X-ray table. Your doctor will apply
numbing medication on one side of your neck, then make a small incision and
insert a flexible plastic tube into the jugular vein. The tube is threaded into
the jugular vein and the largest vein (hepatic vein) of the liver. The doctor
then injects contrast dye into the tube and produces the series of X-ray
images. Dye looks at the pictures, showing the doctor a hepatic vein. The
biopsy needle is then inserted into the tube and one or more cells are removed
from the liver for sampling. The catheter is carefully removed and a bandage is
placed where the incision is made on the throat.
Laparoscopic
biopsy. You are given general anesthetics during a laparoscopic biopsy. On the
table you will have to lie on your back, the doctor will make one or more small
incisions in your abdomen. Through this special tools are inserted inside,
including a small video camera with the help of which the inside photo is seen
in the operating room. With the help of these photos, the doctor instructs
special tools to remove the liver tissue. Then the tools are removed and the
stitches are placed on the incision.
What happens after liver biopsy?
After a biopsy you can expect:
You will be
taken to the recovery room, where the nurse will check your blood pressure,
plus and breath.
Rest for 2 to
4 hours If a biopsy is done by a transjugular procedure, more rest is needed.
After a few
weeks you can start your routine life.
Consult your
doctor if you have any kind of question about liver biopsy and understand it
better.
Understand
the consequences
What do my results mean?
The
specialist doctor (pathologist) in the lab will examine your liver tissue.
Through it, he detects liver disease or any kind of damage. The result of
biopsy comes within a few days to a week.
The doctor will
explain it to you after the results. Your liver disease is diagnosed or graded
based on its severity - very few, normal or severe. If you need some kind of
treatment, the doctor will talk to you about it.
No comments:
Post a Comment