Liver biopsy: definition, function, and stages of the procedure

The liver plays many important roles in the body, namely producing protein and enzymes, regulating many important metabolic processes, cleaning contaminants in the blood, fighting infection, and storing essential vitamins and nutrients. Therefore, if there is a problem with your liver, it can make you seriously ill or even result in death. A liver biopsy is usually recommended when you have liver problems. Here is more information on liver biopsy.

What is a liver biopsy?

A liver biopsy is a medical procedure in which a small piece of liver tissue or a sample of cells from the liver is removed surgically for analysis in a laboratory by a pathologist.

What is a liver biopsy used for?

A biopsy aims to detect the presence of abnormal cells in the liver, such as tumor or cancer tissue. In addition, a biopsy helps doctors evaluate the success rate of treatments, such as in cirrhosis and hepatitis. Your doctor will also run a biopsy if blood tests or imaging tests show liver problems, or if you have a fever that is consistent but can't explain the exact cause.

A liver biopsy can also help diagnose or monitor a number of liver disorders, including:

Alcoholic liver disease
Autoimmune hepatitis
Chronic hepatitis (B or C)
Hemochromatosis (too much iron in the blood)
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (FLD)
Primary biliary cirrhosis (which causes scarring of the liver)
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (which affects the liver bile duct)
Wilson's disease (inherited degenerative liver disease due to excess copper in the body)

How is the liver biopsy procedure performed?

There are three basic types of liver biopsy.

Percutaneous, also known as needle biopsy. In this type, liver tissue or cells are removed using a different needle depending on the type and number of samples needed, under local anesthesia.
Transjugular. This procedure includes open surgery, or an incision in the skin of the neck. A thin, flexible tube is inserted through the jugular vein of the neck and into the liver. This method is used for people suffering from bleeding disorders, under local anesthesia.
Laparoscopy. This technique uses a tube-like device that collects the sample through a small incision in the abdomen, under general anesthesia.

What should you do after you finish a liver biopsy?

Once taken, a sample of liver tissue is sent to a laboratory for examination. This can take up to several weeks. Once the results are obtained, the doctor will contact you or ask you to make a follow-up appointment to inform the results. Once the diagnosis is concluded, the doctor will discuss any recommended treatment plans or further steps with you.

Consult your doctor further if you are recommended to do a liver biopsy.

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