ULTRASOUND GUIDED LIVER BIOPSY

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1 ULTRASOUND GUIDED LIVER BIOPSY Information Leaflet Your Health. Our Priority.

2 Page 2 of 5 General information If you need an ambulance please ask at your GP's surgery to arrange this for you and tell them it is a special appointment. Please arrange to have an escort home after your biopsy and an adult to stay with you for 24 hours after the biopsy. For your own comfort please bring a dressing gown and slippers. You may also wish to bring a magazine, book or personal stereo. If you are unable to keep this appointment please telephone Dr Das s Secretary on or the Radiology Nurses on Before your appointment Please let your Consultant know as soon as possible if you take Warfarin, Aspirin, Clopidrogel or any medication to thin your blood or have any allergies. A few days before your appointment you will have blood tests taken to check how well your blood will clot. This is to make sure that you are not likely to bleed following your biopsy. The Consultant will explain the biopsy to you and ask for your consent. You will be asked to stop eating and drinking for 6 hours before the biopsy. What is a liver biopsy? A liver biopsy is a common procedure. A needle is put through the skin into the liver and a small sample of the liver tissue is removed. The sample will be looked at under a microscope and the results will be used to help your doctor to treat you. Why am I having a liver biopsy? A liver biopsy helps to assess and diagnose the problem in your liver. There are many causes of liver disease and it is sometimes difficult to diagnose a problem from a patient s symptoms and simple blood tests. On the day of the biopsy You will be asked to attend a ward, where you will be asked to undress and put on a cotton gown. The staff will check your blood pressure and pulse. You may have to have a small needle put into a vein in your arm. The porter will take you to the Radiology Department on a trolley. You will be introduced to the Radiologist (the doctor who specialises in performing the biopsy) who will explain the procedure to you. You will have an opportunity to ask any questions. What will happen? The Radiologist will use the ultrasound machine to look at your liver to allow him/her to find the correct area to take the biopsy. The Radiologist will mark the skin with a felt tip pen. You may be asked to lie on your back or left hand side during the biopsy. The skin in the area of the mark will be cleaned with antiseptic and sterile covers will be placed around your body. A small amount of local anaesthetic will be injected into the skin around the mark; this may sting for a short period.

3 Page 3 of 5 After a few minutes the area will become numb and a needle will be pushed through the skin into the liver. The Radiologist may do this up to three times to get the best biopsy sample. You should not feel any pain, but may feel some pressure as the Radiologist pushes on the needle. You may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds. The sample/s will be taken and the needle removed. The area will be covered with a sterile dressing. The biopsy takes around 30 minutes. What happens after the biopsy? The porter will then take you on a trolley, back to the ward. The staff will check your blood pressure and pulse. You will need to lie down for 4-6 hours after the biopsy. You will be given a light snack after 4 hours You may feel some discomfort around the biopsy area and pain in the right shoulder, which can be treated with pain relieving tablets. You will usually be allowed home the same day. Sometimes it may be necessary for you to stay overnight so that the staff can keep an eye on you, but we will let you know this after your biopsy. Are there any risks when having a biopsy? As with all medical examinations there are risks involved. There is a small risk of bleeding from the biopsy site which usually soon stops. Internal bleeding or bile leaking from the liver can happen, but is uncommon. Severe complications occur in less than 1 in 500 patients. Occasionally excessive bleeding could result in a blood transfusion or surgery. Are there any alternatives to having a biopsy? There are no alternatives to having a biopsy. You do of course have the choice to not have the biopsy, it is important that you discuss your options carefully with your Consultant. What happens when I get home? You must rest quietly for the remainder of the day and the following day. You should remove the dressing after 24 hours.

4 Page 4 of 5 You must avoid excessive activity or lifting anything greater than 5kg (11lbs) for the next 5-7 days. If your job involves heavy manual work you are advised to take the week off. If your job does not involve manual work or lifting you can return to work after 2 days. Please go to the Emergency Department if you have any pain on breathing, severe pain in your stomach or a high temperature. How do I get my results? The results of the biopsy will be sent to the Consultant who referred you, who in turn will write to your GP with the results. You will then be reviewed in the clinic. If you do not hear from your Consultant with a clinic appointment, contact your GP to follow this up on your behalf. Do not assume there is nothing you need to know just because you have not been contacted. Contact us Radiology Nurses

5 Page 5 of 5 If you would like this leaflet in a different format, for example, in large print, or on audiotape, or for people with learning disabilities, please contact: Patient and Customer Services, Poplar Suite, Stepping Hill Hospital. Tel: Information Leaflet. PCS@stockport.nhs.uk. Our smoke free policy Smoking is not allowed anywhere on our sites. Please read our leaflet 'Policy on Smoke Free NHS Premises' to find out more. Leaflet number RAD63 Publication date November 2014 Review date November 2016 Department Radiology, X-Ray B Location Stepping Hill Hospital