Liver Biopsy

Biopsy, Liver, Liver Biopsy

What To Think About

• Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) are blood tests done to check liver function. Both ALT and AST levels show liver damage and may be done to help diagnose liver disease. A liver biopsy may be done when AST and ALT levels are very high and no other reason for high levels is found. For more information, see the medical tests Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT).
• A liver biopsy should not be done on people who have bleeding or blood clotting problems, or certain types of belly infections.
• A transvenous liver biopsy is another method that may be used. This test inserts a thin tube (catheter) into a neck vein which is guided to the liver. A sample can be taken through the catheter.
• If a larger sample of liver tissue is needed, an open biopsy of the liver may be done at another time, using surgery or laparoscopy. A liver biopsy is sometimes done at the same time as another abdominal surgery. For more information, see the medical test Laparoscopy.
• A fine-needle aspiration biopsy may be done to get a sample of liver cells and to collect fluid from the liver. If an infection is suspected, a culture may be done on the fluid to see what type of organism is present. A fine-needle biopsy may be done during a CT scan, ultrasound, or MRI test to check for liver problems. For more information, see the medical tests Computed Tomography (CT) Scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and Abdominal Ultrasound.

Go to previous section	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Douglas Dana Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: October 23, 2006
Medical Review:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.