Question 1

how is a liver biopsy performed and how long is this procedure?

Accepted Answer

It is quick: Liver biopsy is a commonly done procedure. It is done with a needly which is inseted thru the skin on your right lower chest on the side, between the ribs. Skin is numbed with Lidocaine and you hold your breat for a few seconds and the procedure is quickly over.

Question 2

are there any alternatives to a liver biopsy for cirrhosis, the procedure terrifies me?

Accepted Answer

Sort of: Biopsy is the gold standard though not always necessary. It is sometimes important to know the type of tissue damage that can only be assessed by biopsy. Visit the site given below for information on this topic.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cirrhosis/basics/definition/con-20031617

Question 3

liver biopsy advised due to elevated alt, ggt since 4 yrs, all other investigations normal. i am afraid if i hv liver cancer, it might spread during biopsy procedure. liver mildly coarse in fibroscan, metavir f0?

Accepted Answer

: Liver cancer has easy access to blood vessels and lymphatics and can spread easily. The theoretical risk of spread with a biopsy is outweighed by the benefit of a definitive diagnosis.

Question 4

how safe is a liver biopsy?

Accepted Answer

Liver biopsy: Ultrasound guided biopsy reasonably safe. Risk of bleeding number one complaint by patients is having to lay to stomach for a number of hours. Once was done without us guidence had possibility of accidental lung biopsy with pneumothorax. Much rarer.

Question 5

how dangerous is a liver biopsy?

Accepted Answer

Not very: In experienced hands, ultrasound guided liver biopsy has a complication rate well below 5%.

Question 6

will i be awake for my liver biopsy?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes: It depends on multiple factors.

Question 7

what can be found in a liver biopsy?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Depends whether you have liver disease or not. It also depends on what type liver disease you have.

Question 8

is it true that a liver biopsy is painful?

Accepted Answer

Pain is relative: One would think that a liver biopsy is very painful, but actually as long as you are prepared mentally and perhaps take a medication to relax you, it is not that bad at all. I would recommend xanax (alprazolam). What is more important about a liver biopsy is the chance of bleeding from the biopsy site over the next 24 hours. Be very careful to rest afterward and avoid any exertion.

Question 9

what are normal results for a liver biopsy?

Accepted Answer

Normal!: You want the biopsy to read" normal architecture, hepatic cell appearance, no steatosid or fatty infiltration and normal blood vessel appearance, without inflammation or infiltrative process.

Question 10

how do i know if i really need a liver biopsy?

Accepted Answer

Definitive answer : A biopsy (liver or other organ or tissue) provides your doctor with a near definitive answer to an abnormal finding.  This is most commonly needed when a mass or tumor is found where we need to determine cancer vs. Benign.  Biopsies are also done to determine the function of an organ, such as one with possible liver disease (cirrhosis, fatty liver, liver failure, etc.) discuss this with your doc.

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Doctor answers about:

Transjugular liver biopsy procedure

A member asked:

How is a liver biopsy performed and how long is this procedure?

A member asked:

Are there any alternatives to a liver biopsy for cirrhosis, the procedure terrifies me?

A member asked:

Liver biopsy advised due to elevated alt, ggt since 4 yrs, all other investigations normal. i am afraid if i hv liver cancer, it might spread during biopsy procedure. liver mildly coarse in fibroscan, metavir f0?

A member asked:

How safe is a liver biopsy?

A member asked:

How dangerous is a liver biopsy?

A member asked:

Will i be awake for my liver biopsy?

A member asked:

What can be found in a liver biopsy?

A member asked:

Is it true that a liver biopsy is painful?

A member asked:

What are normal results for a liver biopsy?

A member asked:

How do i know if i really need a liver biopsy?

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