Test Overview
A needle biopsy of the liver is a procedure to take a very small sample of your liver tissue. Then a doctor looks at this tissue under a microscope. He or she checks it for infection or other liver problems. This procedure is also called a percutaneous (say "per-kew-TAY-nee-us") procedure.
You will get medicine to help you relax. You will also get a shot of numbing medicine in the biopsy area. Then the doctor puts a long needle through your skin between two of your lower ribs on your right side. The needle goes into your liver to take the tissue sample. The doctor may use X-ray pictures on a screen to help guide the needle into the liver. When the needle goes into the liver, you may feel a pain in your shoulder. This is called referred pain. It's caused by pain that travels along a nerve near the biopsy area. After the doctor gets the sample, he or she removes the needle and puts a bandage on the spot where the needle went in. The procedure takes 15 to 20 minutes. But the needle is in your liver for just a few seconds.
After the procedure, you will need to lie on your right side for an hour or two. This can help stop bleeding in the part of your liver where the biopsy was done.
You will probably go home the same day. It can take several days to get the results of the biopsy. Your doctor will discuss the results with you.
A needle biopsy of the liver is done in a clinic or a hospital. When cirrhosis of the liver or a cancer is suspected, the biopsy may be done during a laparoscopy, Opens dialog.
You will need to take off all or most of your clothes. You will be given a cloth or paper gown to use during the test.
Before the test, you may be given a sedative through a vein (I.V., Opens dialog) in your arm. The sedative will help you relax and stay still.
During the test
During the test, you will lie on your back with your right arm resting under or above your head and your head turned to your left. Your doctor may tap on your chest and belly to find your liver, or he or she may use ultrasound.
Your doctor will mark a spot between two of your right lower ribs where the biopsy needle will be inserted, Opens dialog. The site will be cleaned with a special soap and draped with sterile towels. The doctor will give you a medicine (local anesthetic, Opens dialog) to numb the area.
You may be asked to take a deep breath, blow all the air out, and then hold your breath while the biopsy needle is being inserted and withdrawn. This will take only a few seconds. Holding your breath lowers the chance that the needle will go in your lung since the lungs are very close to the liver. It is important to stay still during the few seconds it takes for the doctor to collect the tissue sample. The doctor may take another tissue sample from the same spot, but from a different angle.
As soon as the doctor removes the needle, you can breathe normally. A bandage will be put on the puncture site.
After the test
You will rest in bed and lie on your right side for 2 to 6 hours after the test. After the anesthetic wears off, you may feel a dull pain in your right shoulder.
You can go home if you have no problems after the test.
How long the test takes
The test generally takes 15 to 30 minutes.
You may feel a brief sting or burn when the numbing medicine (anesthetic) goes in your skin. When the biopsy needle is inserted, you may again feel a sharp pain for a few seconds. You may feel deep pressure and a dull pain in your belly while the biopsy needle is inserted.
Serious problems from a liver biopsy are rare. Problems can include:
The tissue sample is sent to a lab and looked at under a microscope to see if there are any liver problems.
- Samples of liver tissue sent to a pathology lab will be looked at under a microscope for liver diseases such as liver cancer or cirrhosis, Opens dialog.
- Other samples of liver tissue may be sent to a microbiology lab to see whether an infection, such as tuberculosis, Opens dialog of the liver, is present.
Test results are generally ready in 2 to 4 days. If tests are done to find infections, it may take several weeks for the results to be ready.
Liver biopsy Normal: | The liver tissue looks normal under a microscope. No signs of infection, inflammation, cancer, or cirrhosis are present. |
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Abnormal: | Abnormal cells or liver tissue are present. This may be caused by an infection such as hepatitis, Opens dialog, liver disease such as cirrhosis, or cancer. If liver cancer is present, the biopsy can help find the type of cancer. If hepatitis is present, the test can be used to see the chance of developing cirrhosis. Test results may also show the severity of cirrhosis. |
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