Liver Biopsy

The liver is a large triangular shaped organ located in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen (beneath the ribcage). The liver plays a key role in the metabolism of foods, in addition to its function of detoxification and breakdown of chemicals and toxins. The liver biopsy (tissue sample) is required in patients exhibiting the following:

1. UNEXPLAINED LIVER DYSFUNCTION

2. UNEXPLAINED LIVER ENLARGEMENT

3. PERSISTENT ELEVATION OF LIVER ENZYMES IN THE BLOOD

4. AS A FOLLOW-UP TO VARIOUS FORMS OF TREATMENT

This test is performed using a local anesthetic. A small incision is made to insert the biopsy needle. After the test, the patient will be asked to lie still for 8-12 hours (usually on the right side with a pillow under the waist) in order to stop any bleeding. Hospitalization is not usually required after this procedure.

***** REMEMBER *****

1. The main risk with a liver biopsy is prolonged internal bleeding. There is some degree of prolonged bleeding in 1 in 600 cases. The likelihood that the bleeding will require a transfusion is much smaller (1 in 1,200).

2. A collapsed lung is another, but more rare, complication.

3. A definitive diagnosis is often made using this test, therefore, the benefits from this test often outweigh the risks.

MEDICAL TESTS

Abdominal Ultrasound
Abdominal X-Ray
Allergy Testing
Amniocentesis
Amylase Blood Test
Angiodynography
Angiogram
Arterial Blood Gases
Arthrocentesis
Arthrogram
Barium Enema
Blood Chemistry
Blood Coagulation Test
Blood Cultures
Blood Glucose Test
Blood Test Smac 25
Bone Marrow Biopsy Aspiration
Cardiac Catheterization Angioplasty
Cardiac Enzymes
Cholesterol Blood Test
Complete Blood Count
CT Scanning Back
CT Scanning Chest Abdomen
Drug Levels
Glucose Tolerance Test
Hepatitis Blood Test
HIV Blood Test
Kidney Biopsy
Kidney Blood Test
Lipoproteins
Liver Biopsy
Liver Blood Test
Lymph Node Biopsy
Mononucleosis Test
Paracentesis
Peritoneal Lavage
Pregnancy Blood Test
Prostate Specific Antigen
Skin Biopsy
Spine X-Rays
Thyroid Biopsy
Thyroid Blood Test
Toxicology