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Understanding Liver BiopsyBiopsia del hgado

Understanding Liver Biopsy

Cutaway view of liver

A liver biopsy is a special procedure that's safe and quick. It can help your doctor assess the health of the liver.

Who Needs a Liver Biopsy?

A liver biopsy may be done if you have:

Symptoms of a liver problem, such as jaundice (yellowing skin and eyes or dark urine), due to infection, scarring, or damage from medications
Abnormal liver imaging or blood tests
A chronic liver condition

What a Liver Biopsy Can Do

A liver biopsy helps your doctor diagnose a liver problem, such as cirrhosis or a fatty liver. It also aids him or her in assessing the cause and severity of your liver problem.

Images of liver with cirrhosis and fatty liver

Possible Risks and Complications

Infection
Internal bleeding from the liver
Damage to organs near the liver (lungs, gallbladder, or intestines)
Need for a second liver biopsy if not enough liver tissue was obtained the first time

Date Last Reviewed: 2004-08-02T00:00:00-06:00

Date Last Modified: 2002-07-09T00:00:00-06:00

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Understanding Liver Biopsy

Who Needs a Liver Biopsy?

What a Liver Biopsy Can Do

Possible Risks and Complications

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