A liver biopsy refers to a clinical procedure that exclusively takes out a small portion of liver tissue and examines it under a microscope for evidence of injury or disease. This test helps detect a number of conditions, such as the presence of cysts, liver disease, parasites, malignancy, hepatitis.
Biopsy is especially recommended If blood tests or imaging investigations indicate that you have a liver disease. Then, your doctor may consider a liver biopsy, which rules out the stage of liver condition. For a biopsy test in Siliguri, reach out to the best biopsy testing center in town.
As a diagnostic process, biopsy gives clinicians with crucial information required for proper diagnosis, staging, and therapy of a wide range of liver illnesses. From determining the extremity of liver damage to directing therapy options, liver biopsy is significant in hepatology practice.
By definition, hepatology is a branch of medicine focusing on the study, diagnosis, prevention, and management of liver diseases, gallbladder diseases, pancreatic conditions, and Biliary problems. A hepatologist is a medical expert who diagnoses and provides medical care for hepatic diseases.
Different types of liver biopsy
Percutaneous biopsy is the most common form of liver biopsy, which advances a fine needle through the stomach into the liver and extracts a small amount of tissue. Transjugular biopsy is a procedure of liver biopsy that uses a vein in the neck; the jugular vein.
Though less common, laparoscopic liver biopsy allows for direct visualization of the liver as well as precise tissue sampling under direct view. This approach is frequent when concurrent surgical intervention or a detailed inspection of the liver surface is needed. See your expert at the top biopsy testing centres in Siliguri.
Why a liver biopsy is done
A liver biopsy may be performed in order to:
- Ruling out liver conditions otherwise difficult to detect, such as through blood tests, or imaging tests.
- Examining liver condition after a liver transplant
- Planning treatment for liver conditions
- Checking the irregularities spotted by imaging tests
- Determining the efficacy of liver treatment
- Staging the liver condition existing
It is used to diagnose and stage liver conditions like:
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Liver cirrhosis
- Chronic hepatitis B or C
- Primary biliary cholangitis
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Wilson's Disease
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis
- Hemochromatosis
How to prepare
Prior to your biopsy, a blood test will be done to determine your blood's ability to clot. If you have blood coagulation issues, you may be given medication prior to your biopsy by your medical expert to lessen the chance of bleeding. Undergo liver biopsy test in Siliguri at the most trusted biopsy center in town.
You may need to stop taking certain meds like aspirin, ibuprofen, and several other pain medicines, blood thinners, some dietary supplements that can raise the risk of bleeding, etc. You may be advised not to drink or eat for 6 to 8 hours before the liver biopsy.
A healthcare expert will place an IV line to ensure the medication into a vein in your arm. Doctors may provide a sedative to keep patients relaxed throughout the procedure.
Liver biopsy is an incredibly effective and essential procedure in hepatology, providing vital insights into liver pathology that help amp out suitable treatment plans and enhance patient outcomes. Talk to your medical healthcare provider to better understand the process.