Transjugular liver biopsy (1075)

Key points below


Your child’s Transjugular liver biopsy is scheduled for:

 (date)____________  at (time)____________  at Children’s Wisconsin.

When you get to the hospital, stop at the Welcome desk for a badge and directions.

What is a transjugular liver biopsy?

A liver biopsy is done to get a small piece of liver tissue. It can be looked at under a microscope. It may help find the cause of a liver problem.

Transjugular describes how the biopsy is done. A thin tube is threaded through the jugular vein in the neck down to the liver. The biopsy can tell the doctor two things:

When is it needed?

How is it done?

Your child will be asleep during the test. It will take about one to two hours.

1. Using an ultrasound, the doctor puts a needle into a vein on the side of the neck, called the internal jugular vein.
2. A soft, floppy wire is fed through the needle, into the vein.
3. The needle is removed.
4. The wire is moved, under x-ray guidance, into the hepatic vein.
5. The biopsy needle is then moved into the hepatic vein in the liver.
6. The biopsies are taken and sent to the lab.
7. The needle is removed and pressure is held at the neck site for a few minutes.
8. The area is bandaged.

What are some of the risks?

What to stop and when to stop

Solid food and whole milk
Stop 8 hours before the scan.

Formula
Stop 6 hours before the scan.

Breast milk
Stop 4 hours before the scan.

Clear liquids
Stop 2 hours before the scan.

Please note: It is important that you follow these special instructions. If your child eats or drinks anything after the times listed above, the test may be cancelled.

What happens after the procedure?

 
 

ALERT

Call your child’s doctor, nurse, or clinic if you have any questions or concerns or if:

  • It is the day before the procedure and you have questions about the time of the procedure or your child’s health..
  • Your child has special health care needs that were not covered by this information.