Performing a percutaneous liver biopsy in parenchymal liver diseases

There are many ways of obtaining a liver biopsy sample but the percutaneous method is deemed as one of the simplest and safest methods. Percutaneous liver biopsy (PLB) is a commonly performed procedure carried out for the diagnosis and management of patients with parenchymal liver diseases. It plays a central role in providing histological assessment for either diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. This article describes how PLB is performed at the Royal Free Hospital radiology department, London, under ultrasound guidance, along with indications, contraindications, complications and advantages/disadvantages this method offers. Nursing implications are discussed in terms of assisting, caring and managing for these patients safely. This article aims to raise awareness of PLB and inform the reader how this tissue sample is taken, thus enabling further understanding of this procedure. It is concluded that the percutaneous route of obtaining a liver biopsy enables a good size and quality of sample to be taken in a safe and effective manner, with usually one pass being required with minimal associated complications.