Liver Biopsy

I notice that many people have expressed trepidation about liver biopsy. While it is true that all such procedures carry risk (notably bleeding or infection), it should be pointed out that the risks are relatively low, and the results provide important information to your care providers that can guide your diagnosis and subsequent treament. For those worried about the discomfort involved, I will relate my experience. My doctor is the head of gastroenterology at a world-famous hospital and has done thousands of biopsies, so admittedly is a skilled practitioner. They placed me on a stretcher in very small operating room. They gave me an IV with a hydrating solution. They then added a drug to sedate me, but not completely because one needs to be able to respond to the doctor's instructions. The effect of the drug was alarmingly pleasant. Then, they numb an area under your right ribcage. The doc has you present that area to him in the correct orientation, wipes it to disinfect it, numbs the area with a swab. Then he takes out a longish needle and inserts it...you feel a slight pinch and he is done...it takes a mere second or two. There is no real discomfort at all. then they tape a patch to keep the area clean. After resting for a while in my hospital bed as a simple precaution, I was up and walking around within a couple of hours with no pain or discomfort. You could barely detect the point of entry a day later. This was my experience, and I relate it to ease any fears you may have about the procedure, which has value. Of course, only you in conjunction with your doctor can decide what is right for you. Hope this helps!

[cajim]

Thank you very much for sharing.

[Sharp7]

"alarmingly pleasant" now that's a phrase I have not heard before :-). That phrase, by itself, inspires me to get a biopsy -- I haven't done one yet :-D.

[stef2011]

biopsy is safe but there might be errors since the small tissue sample so fibroscan is more accurate now on f3-f4 fibrosis and less accurate on f1-f2

i have noticed that biopsy is not made anymore in my country except for particular cases so i suggest fibroscan if alt are lower than 200 within a six month period or just make 2 fibroscan at 6 month interval checking that alt is not more than 200