Can I eat before a liver biopsy?

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Vu Huy Hoang - Radiologist - Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medicine - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital.

Liver biopsy is a technique used to diagnose liver diseases. So what are the things to prepare before a liver biopsy? Can I eat anything before a liver biopsy? Follow along in the article below.

Liver biopsy is a technique that uses a needle to penetrate the skin to the liver and take a sample of liver parenchyma for testing. Under the microscope and the reagents and test solutions, the liver parenchyma cells are clearly displayed, indicating the abnormality of the liver parenchyma structure, assessment, classification of the extent and stage of liver damage. .

Indications for liver biopsy in the following cases:
Tumor in the liver: after having the results of ultrasound, CT scan or MRI of the liver, combined with laboratory indicators but still not clearly identified the lesion, it is necessary to Biopsy is used to confirm the diagnosis and help in the treatment and prognosis of the disease.
After liver transplant surgery, it is necessary to monitor and evaluate the degree of liver transplant rejection
Some other cases such as:
Fatty liver (non-alcoholic): Biopsy is performed to determine the status and degree of fatty liver. . Chronic liver disease (hepatitis caused by virus B, virus C, cirrhosis, cholangitis, autoimmune hepatitis, ...): Biopsy is done to assess the extent of liver damage. Liver disease of unknown etiology. Abnormal liver function test results. In addition, liver biopsy may be indicated in cases where people have metabolic disorders or other disorders, are being treated with certain drugs that cause metabolic disorders, and have unexplained fever.

Although liver biopsy is a safe procedure and is indicated in many patients with liver disease, however, to avoid affecting the test results, the patient should not eat or drink anything before conducting the biopsy. any food, specifically:
Do not eat or drink colored foods 6 hours before the procedure. Fasting 3 hours before the procedure. To reduce the risk of gallbladder damage when performing a liver biopsy, the doctor may allow the patient to eat bread, or cheese, butter, or snack in the morning to help empty the gallbladder.
In addition to fasting, some drugs that the patient is taking are also forced to pause to ensure that they do not affect the biopsy process and results. Patients need to inform their doctor and medications they are taking. Some drugs need to be stopped before performing a liver biopsy such as:
Drugs containing aspirin. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Anticoagulants. Cardiovascular drugs. Fish oil or some herbs. It should be noted that patients should not stop taking the drug on their own, but must have the guidance and prescription of the doctor.

Before doing a liver biopsy, the patient is asked to perform a number of tests including:
Blood tests to check if the patient has a clotting disorder syndrome, because if this happens, it will lead to blood clots. risk of bleeding after biopsy. Liver ultrasound to determine the site to perform a liver biopsy. However, depending on the case, the doctor will order an ultrasound. During the biopsy, the doctor can choose the following two methods in accordance with the patient's condition and condition:
Method 1: The doctor uses a biopsy needle to pierce the skin in the right chest and abdomen to take a liver biopsy sample. This is the common procedure performed in most cases of liver biopsies. Method 2: The doctor places the biopsy needle through a vein in the neck or another location to reach the liver. This is less common and may require surgery to perform a biopsy.

After a liver biopsy at a medical facility, the patient will not be able to go home immediately, but will have to lie down to check blood pressure, pulse and monitor health.
In 5-7 days after the biopsy, the patient should pay attention to rest and limit vigorous activities, carry heavy objects and note not to use anticoagulants. When there are manifestations after liver biopsy such as pain at the biopsy site, shoulder pain, chest pain, abdominal pain, bleeding at the biopsy site, shortness of breath, high fever, fatigue, heart palpitations, colored stools strange, ... need to immediately go to a medical facility to be checked. Liver biopsy in particular and biopsies in general, patients need to fast for 3-6 hours before the biopsy to avoid affecting the biopsy process and results.
Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the medical facilities with a team of leading medical experts in the field of Liver - Gallbladder - Pancreas, the most modern machinery in the region. These will be good conditions to make the examination, screening tests or biopsy to diagnose liver cancer quick, convenient, and time-saving so that appropriate and timely treatment measures can be taken. time.
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