Liver Biopsy
Alternate Names : Biopsy - Liver, Percutaneous Biopsy
Definition
The liver is a pyramid-shaped organ that lies within the upper right side of the abdomen. In a typical liver biopsy, a needle is inserted through the rib cage or abdominal wall and into the liver to obtain a sample for examination.
The procedure can also be performed by inserting a needle into the jugular vein in the neck and passing a catheter through the veins down to the liver to obtain the sample.
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Why is the Test Performed?
The biopsy helps diagnose a number of liver diseases. The biopsy also helps in the assessment of the stage (early, advanced) of the liver disease. This is especially important in hepatitis C infection.
The biopsy also helps detect:
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