What is liver biopsy test?
In a liver biopsy test, the doctor removes a small piece of the liver for examination. Liver biopsy test is done in many ways, in which percutaneous liver biopsy, transjugular liver biopsy and laparoscopic liver biopsy are the three main ones. Through this test, it is ascertained whether there is any disease or damage in the liver. The cost of liver biopsy test depends on the type of biopsy.
Doctors also recommend liver biopsy test in the following situations –
alcoholic liver disease
autoimmune hepatitis
chronic hepatitis (B or C)
hemochromatosis (excess iron in the blood)
nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
primary biliary cirrhosis
primary sclerosing colitis
Wilson's disease (excessive accumulation of copper in the body)
Liver Biopsy Test Procedure
Liver biopsy test is done in the hospital. Before the biopsy, an IV line is usually placed in a vein in the arm so that medication can be given if needed. A sedative is also given for relaxation during the procedure. Liver biopsy test is done in many ways, in which percutaneous liver biopsy, transjugular liver biopsy and laparoscopic liver biopsy are the main ones -
percutaneous liver biopsy test
In this procedure, the doctor locates the liver by palpating the abdomen or using ultrasound images. In some cases, ultrasound is used to guide the needle into the liver during the biopsy.
Before the liver biopsy test, the area where the needle will be inserted is numbed.After this, the doctor makes a small incision under the rib and inserts the biopsy needle from there. This biopsy only takes a few seconds. The needle very quickly goes inside the liver and then comes out. At this point the person is asked to hold the breath.
transjugular liver biopsy test
In this procedure, one has to lie on the back on the X-ray table.The doctor applies numbing medicine to one side of the neck, after making a small incision, a flexible plastic tube is inserted into the jugular vein. This tube goes into the jugular vein and goes into the large vein of the liver (heptic vein).
At this point, the doctor injects a contrast dye into the tube and takes several X-ray images.This dye is visible in the image, so the doctor can see the hepatic vein. A biopsy needle is inserted into the tube and a sample of the liver is taken. Its catheter is removed and a bandage is applied on the incision on the neck.
laparoscopic biopsy test
General anesthesia is given during laparoscopic biopsy. After you lie on your back on the operating table, the doctor may make one or more small incisions in the abdomen. Special instruments, including a tiny camera, are inserted through the incision. With its help, images are viewed on a monitor in the operating room.With the help of video images, the doctor guides the tool to the liver. The instruments are then taken out and the incision is stitched up.
After the biopsy, the patient is taken to the recovery room, where blood pressure, pulse, and breathing are monitored. It is said to rest for two to four hours.If there is a transjugular liver biopsy test, then prolonged bed rest may also be asked. It is forbidden to lift more than 4 kg in a week. Normal routine is followed after one week.
liver biopsy test results
After a liver biopsy test, the liver tissue is sent to a laboratory for testing, which is then examined by a pathologist. The pathologist examines the liver damage. In a few days, the report of liver biopsy test comes from the pathology lab. This is followed by a follow-up and the doctor explains the results in detail. There may be some disease related to liver or the stage of liver disease that has already happened is told. On the basis of this, doctors also tell about the treatment.
liver biopsy test cost
There is a wide variation in the cost of liver biopsy test. On an average, the cost of liver biopsy test starts from around Rs.5,000. This cost may be more or less depending on the state, hospital and test center.
Through a liver biopsy test, a tissue sample is taken by inserting a needle into the liver, so that any damage or disease in the liver can be detected. Under this procedure, a small piece of liver is removed by the doctor. The procedure for liver biopsy testing varies depending on the type of biopsy being performed. After the liver biopsy test, the tissue sample of the liver is sent to the laboratory for testing, which takes a few days to get the results. Doctors start treatment only after the report comes.
