Surgery·Surgery
Liver biopsy
Informed by recognized medical guidance
Overview
A liver biopsy is a medical procedure where a doctor takes a small sample of tissue from your liver to check for diseases or damage. The sample is looked at under a microscope to help diagnose conditions like fatty liver, hepatitis, cirrhosis (scarring), or cancer.
Key facts
- A liver biopsy is usually done with a thin needle through the skin while you are awake but numb.
- The sample is very small – about the size of a grain of rice – and your liver heals quickly.
- You will be watched for a few hours after the biopsy to make sure there is no bleeding.
Liver biopsies are less common now because blood tests and scans can often give enough information. But doctors still use them when they need a definite diagnosis or to see how much damage there is.
Liver biopsies are done for people of any age who have liver problems that need a clear answer. This includes adults with abnormal liver tests, people with hepatitis, heavy drinkers, and sometimes children with unexplained liver disease.