A liver biopsy can be performed as an in-office procedure to help in the diagnosis of multiple liver conditions ranging from hepatitis to cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, tumors and more. The most commonly employed method of retrieving a tissue sample from the liver is via a needle, with the patient provided a local anesthetic to avoid pain. Other methods of obtaining a liver biopsy include a laparoscopic approach, where a specially trained physician operates using a laparoscope instrument with a special light and camera at the end. Patients with blood-clotting disorders or other special conditions may undergo a transvenous biopsy, where the physician approaches the liver via a vein in the neck. When a specific part of the liver needs to be targeted for the biopsy, imaging studies such as ultrasounds, CT or MRI scans can be performed in conjunction with the procedure to help guide the physician to the correct location. In this case, the biopsy will be taken within the hospital’s radiology department. A biopsy may be recommended when a patient displays yellowing of their eyes or skin (jaundice), when an abnormal blood test indicates the possibility of liver disease or when the patient is determined to have an enlarged liver.
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