Our Summary

This paper is a review of a study that aimed to find out how often serious bleeding occurred after a specific type of liver biopsy, known as a subcapsular liver mass biopsy, and compare it to the bleeding incidents from other types of liver biopsies. The study looked at patient data from liver biopsies conducted from January 2006 to February 2015.

A subcapsular liver mass biopsy is a procedure where a needle is inserted directly into a growth on the liver, without moving through any normal liver tissue. The researchers were specifically interested in these because they were thought to have a higher risk of bleeding.

The study found that out of 1876 biopsies, about 18.5% were subcapsular mass biopsies, 40.5% were nonsubcapsular mass biopsies, and 41.0% were random biopsies. They found that only 13 cases of moderate or severe bleeding occurred, which is less than 1% of all the biopsies. Also, the rate of bleeding from subcapsular mass biopsies was not significantly different from the other types.

This led the researchers to conclude that serious bleeding is rare after subcapsular liver mass biopsies, and the risk is not higher than with other types of biopsies. Therefore, they suggest that these biopsies should not be avoided due to fear of bleeding.

FAQs

  1. What is a subcapsular liver mass biopsy?
  2. What was the frequency of serious bleeding incidents after a subcapsular liver mass biopsy as per the study?
  3. Is the risk of bleeding higher in subcapsular liver mass biopsies compared to other types of liver biopsies?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about liver biopsy is to inform them that serious bleeding after the procedure is rare and that the risk is not significantly higher with a subcapsular liver mass biopsy compared to other types of biopsies. Patients should be reassured that the benefits of the biopsy in diagnosing liver conditions outweigh the low risk of bleeding. It is important for patients to follow post-biopsy care instructions provided by their healthcare provider to minimize any potential complications.

Suitable For

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

  1. Liver diseases such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, or fatty liver disease
  2. Abnormal liver function tests
  3. Liver tumors or masses
  4. Suspected liver infections or autoimmune diseases affecting the liver
  5. Monitoring the progression of liver diseases or treatment effectiveness
  6. Evaluation of liver transplant candidates
  7. Unexplained abdominal pain or symptoms related to liver dysfunction

It is important for healthcare providers to assess the individual patient’s medical history, symptoms, and test results to determine if a liver biopsy is necessary and what type of biopsy would be most appropriate for their specific situation.

Timeline

Before the liver biopsy:

  1. Patient’s doctor recommends a liver biopsy based on symptoms or test results.
  2. Patient undergoes pre-procedure evaluations, such as blood tests and imaging studies.
  3. Patient receives instructions on fasting before the procedure.
  4. Patient discusses any allergies or medications with their healthcare provider.
  5. Patient signs a consent form for the procedure.

During the liver biopsy:

  1. Patient is positioned on their back or side on an examination table.
  2. Local anesthesia is used to numb the area where the biopsy needle will be inserted.
  3. A needle is guided into the liver to obtain a small tissue sample.
  4. Patient may experience pressure or discomfort during the procedure.
  5. The tissue sample is sent to a laboratory for analysis.

After the liver biopsy:

  1. Patient is monitored for a few hours after the procedure to check for any complications.
  2. Patient may experience mild pain or soreness at the biopsy site.
  3. Patient is advised to avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activities for a few days.
  4. Patient may need to follow up with their doctor to discuss the biopsy results.
  5. Patient is informed of any potential risks or complications, such as bleeding or infection.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What type of liver biopsy will be performed?
  2. What are the risks of bleeding associated with the specific type of liver biopsy being recommended?
  3. What steps will be taken to minimize the risk of bleeding during and after the liver biopsy?
  4. How will pain and discomfort be managed during the liver biopsy procedure?
  5. What are the potential complications of a liver biopsy, aside from bleeding?
  6. How long will it take to receive the results of the liver biopsy?
  7. What will the doctor be looking for in the liver biopsy results?
  8. Are there any specific instructions to follow before and after the liver biopsy procedure?
  9. How often will follow-up appointments be needed after the liver biopsy?
  10. What other treatment options may be considered depending on the results of the liver biopsy?

Reference

Authors: Potretzke TA, Saling LJ, Middleton WD, Robinson KA. Journal: AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2018 Jul;211(1):204-210. doi: 10.2214/AJR.17.18726. Epub 2018 Apr 30. PMID: 29708780