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Needle Biopsy of the
Liver
What is a liver biopsy?
A percutaneous liver biopsy needle aspiration provides a sample
of liver tissue that can be used to diagnose most disorders of
the liver, such as rejection, inflammation, infection, steatosis,
cirrhosis, confirm the presence of cancer, or assess the effects
of hepatotoxic drugs. Repeat biopsies reveal the progress and
response to treatment of chronic liver diseases such as active
hepatitis.
Pre-biopsy Preparation
You should be NPO for 4-6 hours but please take all your
medications. Inform your doctor before hand if you are on
Aspirin, blood thinner like, Comadin' antibiotics, allergy, have
a bleeding tendencies or blood disorder. You will be asked to
empty your bladder and put on a hospital gown. Intravenous line
will be inserted and your vitals respiratory rate, pulse rate
and blood pressure will be monitored. The nurse or doctor will
ask you some questions and position you on your back with your
right arm extended above your head or left arm along your side
on a flat bed. The doctor will locate the site of the biopsy on
your right side (lower chest and upper abdomen) by percussion or
ultrasound.
Taking the biopsy
The doctor will clean the area with cleaning solutions and cover
it with clean drapes, please do not touch this sterile area. The
doctor will instruct you on your breathing pattern, as you need
during the biopsy to breath in then exhale all air then hold
while the doctor is doing the procedure. After the doctor fInish
the procedure, he will tell you to breath nonnally and Bx site
will be covered by dressing.
Post Biopsy
You will be instructed to roll on your right side for 2 hours on
the site of the biopsy in order to compress the area and prevent
bleeding. You will stay in bed for a total of 6 hours. (Minimum
of 2 hours on your right side and 4 hours on your back). Your
pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure will be monitored.
Inform your nurse if you have i) severe pain, ii) dizziness.
After biopsy for 2 hours, avoid:
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food
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cough
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staining
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avoid lifting and strenous
activity for about a week.
Complications
Most patients recovered with no complication 99%, but serious
complication (1 %) can happen.
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Bleeding into the abdomen or
liver leading to severe pain.
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A pneumothorax due to air in
pleural space in the chest leading to sudden chest pain and
shortness of Gallbreath.
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Perforation of the bladder.
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Bleeding into bile duct which can
lead to hematemesis, melena, abdominal pain, and jaundice.
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Bacteremia leading to fever.
Minor complications are more
common like mild pain at site of biopsy or pain radiating to
shoulder, which should be settled before you leave the procedure
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