Liver biopsy

In some inexplicit cases or to judge the severity of a disease and the extent of the liver damage, a liver puncture (liver biopsy) can be necessary. The liver tissue is microscopical analysed. We carry out this examination ambulant daily in our liver centre.

How is a liver biopsy performed?

During a liver biopsy a very small liver sample from the liver is taken with a very thin needle. This diagnostic examination is arranged in our liver centre. A local anaesthesia of the puncture is completely sufficient. We use a medicine that you might have received in a similar form from your dentist before a small intervention. Because of this anaesthesia the puncture is very little painful, a small amount of taken tissue normally is enough for diagnostics. The puncture is carried out under sonographic control, thus, the punctured part of the liver is visualised. Nevertheless, after a puncture you should rest in bed  for some hours. In our liver centre all patients are supervised for four hours after a liver puncture. Therefore, you can leave the IFI institution at the same day and you will be able to work normally the next day. Anyway, you should avoid lifting heavy things or  doing sports with a lot of body contact for the next four days. We will hand out to you an extra information brochure with additional  information about liver biopsy.