Indications for liver biopsy in patients with asymptomatic elevated transaminases: review

Extracted from text ... REVIEW The South African Gastroenterology Review - November 2003 8 Indications for liver biopsy in patients with asymptomatic elevated transaminases the duration of the intrahepatic phase of the biopsy to a fraction of a second.3 Since then percutaneous liver biopsy has been the standard method of obtaining liver tissue. The technique is done blindly using either a standard thin bore (1.4 to 1.8 mm diameter) aspiration Menghini -type needle or a Tru-Cut needle (2.05 mm diameter) where tissue is obtained by cutting. Outpatient percutaneous liver biopsy can be performed safely in most patients although complications requiring hospitalisation may occur ..