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Liver Biopsy

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Liver Biopsy

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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 topics 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. During this test, a radiologist 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 topic 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 or ultrasound to check for liver problems. For more information, see the topics Computed Tomography (CT) Scan and Abdominal Ultrasound.
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References
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Last Updated: July 22, 2010
Medical Review:
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine

Steven L. Flamm, MD, MD - Gastroenterology


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