Liver biopsy

A liver biopsy is a tissue sample from the liver. It is a method of investigation of the medicine for the examination of diffuse or circumscribed liver changes.

Types of liver biopsy

• Sonographically controlled liver biopsy untargeted
• Specifically from a liver stove

Expiration of the liver biopsy

In the currently most commonly performed sonographically controlled liver biopsy, the patient is first examined by ultrasound and determined the puncture. There is a detailed skin disinfection. Then the patient is given sedation (eg midazolam ) and a local anesthetic in the area of the puncture site. Then, the puncture needle is being prepared and removed from the punching cylinder. The punch cylinder is placed in a preservative solution and sent to the pathologist. There the tissue is embedded in paraffin, cut into thin sections, stained and examined by microscope. The finding raised goes to the examiner back (usually within 1-2 days ).

The patient remains after the puncture for a few hours at the doctor under observation and then receive an ultrasound examination to detect any postoperative hemorrhage promptly can.

When one makes a liver biopsy?

• In diffuse liver diseases that otherwise can not be diagnosed.
• For nodes in the liver, which otherwise can not be diagnosed.
• On suspicion of hemochromatosis if the previous genetic testing without finding is.
• For the avoidance of acute rejection after orthotopic liver transplantation

Possible complications

In the hands of an experienced examiner, the liver biopsy is a largely safe medical procedure at normal clotting conditions. Through adequate sedation and local anesthesia, it is hardly stressful for the patient. After the liver biopsy, many patients feel for a few hours to a few days a feeling of pressure in the area of the puncture site. The liver biopsy can not be performed at a Echinococcus infestation of the liver ( tapeworm) and some other rare contraindications. Organs that can be accidentally injured by the liver biopsy: lung, intestine or gallbladder. The complication is an experienced operator under 1%. A small hemorrhage into the abdominal cavity usually remains without consequence. The patient must be informed prior to the examination on the purpose of the liver biopsy and possible complications.