Our Summary

This study compared two different biopsy needle systems, the SharkCore fork-tip and the Acquire Franseen, to see which one was better at taking samples from the liver for diagnosis. The research involved 108 adult patients who had a liver biopsy procedure over a year. The biopsy samples were then checked by a pathologist to see how good they were for diagnosis, based on factors like the number of complete liver structures they contained, their length, and how fragmented they were.

The results showed that the Franseen needle system was better at providing a final diagnosis in 97.2% of cases, compared to the fork-tip system which only worked in 79.4% of cases. The Franseen system also got more complete liver structures in each sample, longer samples, and more intact core samples. So overall, the Franseen needle system was significantly better at taking liver biopsy samples for diagnosis.

FAQs

  1. What was the purpose of this study on liver biopsy needle systems?
  2. How did the Franseen needle system perform compared to the SharkCore fork-tip system in liver biopsies?
  3. What factors were considered to determine the effectiveness of the two different biopsy needle systems?

Doctor’s Tip

A doctor may advise a patient undergoing a liver biopsy to ask their healthcare provider about the type of needle system being used for the procedure. Based on this research, choosing a biopsy needle system like the Acquire Franseen may increase the likelihood of obtaining accurate and reliable samples for diagnosis. It is important to discuss all options with your healthcare provider to ensure the best possible outcome from the liver biopsy procedure.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for a liver biopsy include those with:

  1. Liver disease or abnormal liver function tests
  2. Suspected liver cancer or other liver tumors
  3. Suspected liver inflammation or infection
  4. Monitoring and staging of liver disease
  5. Evaluation of liver transplant rejection or complications

Overall, liver biopsy is a valuable diagnostic tool for a variety of liver conditions and can provide important information for treatment planning and management.

Timeline

Before the liver biopsy, a patient may undergo blood tests to assess liver function, imaging tests to locate the target area for biopsy, and may need to fast for a certain period of time. On the day of the biopsy, the patient will be asked to sign a consent form and may receive sedation to help relax during the procedure.

During the liver biopsy, the patient will lie on their back with their right arm raised above their head. The skin will be cleaned and numbed with a local anesthetic. The doctor will then insert the biopsy needle through the skin and into the liver to collect a small sample of tissue. The procedure typically takes about 30 minutes.

After the biopsy, the patient will be monitored for a few hours to check for any complications such as bleeding or infection. They may experience some pain or discomfort at the biopsy site, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication. The biopsy sample will be sent to a lab for analysis, and the patient will follow up with their doctor to discuss the results and next steps in their treatment plan.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What is the purpose of the liver biopsy procedure?
  2. How will the biopsy sample be collected?
  3. Are there any risks or complications associated with the liver biopsy procedure?
  4. How long will it take to get the results of the biopsy?
  5. What will the biopsy results tell us about my liver health?
  6. What follow-up care or treatment may be necessary based on the biopsy results?
  7. Are there any specific precautions or restrictions I need to follow after the liver biopsy?
  8. How often will I need to undergo liver biopsies in the future, if at all?
  9. Is there any alternative testing or imaging methods that can provide similar information without the need for a biopsy?
  10. Can you explain the differences between the SharkCore fork-tip and Acquire Franseen needle systems, and why one may be recommended over the other for my liver biopsy?

Reference

Authors: Aggarwal SN, Magdaleno T, Klocksieben F, MacFarlan JE, Goonewardene S, Zator Z, Shah S, Shah HN. Journal: Gastrointest Endosc. 2021 May;93(5):1133-1138. doi: 10.1016/j.gie.2020.09.050. Epub 2020 Oct 9. PMID: 33045222