Liver Biopsy
What Is a Biopsy?
A biopsy is a procedure to take a small piece of tissue from your liver for examination under a microscope. Usually, your doctor inserts a thin needle through the skin in your abdomen into your liver to remove the tissue in the needle.
Your doctor may recommend a liver biopsy if another test has shown you may have a possible liver condition. Liver specialists (hepatologists) at University Health often use biopsy to check for liver conditions such as:
- Cirrhosis
- Hepatitis C
- Infection
- Jaundice
- Liver disease caused by prescription and other drugs
- Portal hypertension
You also may have a biopsy to check the severity of your existing liver disease or how your liver is responding to medication therapy. This information will help you know what to expect leading up to and during a liver biopsy.
