Overview

A liver biopsy is a test that removes a small piece of liver tissue from the body and examines it under a microscope. It helps assess liver health and detect infections, tumours, inflammation, fibrosis, or fatty changes. Percutaneous (through the skin), transjugular (through a vein in the neck), and laparoscopic biopsy are all types of liver biopsy. The most common way to do a biopsy is with a thin needle that goes into the liver under imaging guidance. A liver biopsy gives you more information than imaging tests alone can. A trained professional usually does it in a hospital or day-care setting.

Why It's Done
Liver biopsy is done to find out if someone has a liver disease like hepatitis, fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, autoimmune liver disorders, or liver function tests that don't make sense. It helps determine the severity of liver damage and which treatment to use. In some cases, it is used to check how well treatment is working or to look at liver tumours. A correct diagnosis enables more effective management of a problem and better long-term results.

What to Expect?
Before the procedure, blood tests are performed to assess clotting function and reduce the risk of bleeding. Ultrasound and other imaging tests may be used to determine the best site for a biopsy. Patients are told not to eat or drink anything for a few hours. Local anaesthesia is used to numb the skin during a percutaneous biopsy. A needle is then put through the right upper abdomen and into the liver to get a small piece of tissue. It usually only takes a few minutes. After that, patients are watched for several hours for signs of bleeding or pain. There may be mild pain at the biopsy site or in the right shoulder for a short time.

Recovery & Outlook
Most patients go home the same day after being watched. You should avoid strenuous activities for a few days. Liver biopsy is usually safe and provides doctors with important information that helps them make an accurate diagnosis and plan effective treatment.