A liver biopsy is a procedure to remove a small piece of liver tissue, so it can be examined under a microscope for signs of damage or disease. Your doctor may recommend a liver biopsy if blood tests or an imaging study suggest you might have a liver problem.
A liver biopsy also is used to determine the severity of liver disease as in hepatitis C. This information helps guide treatment decisions. A liver biopsy involves inserting a thin needle through your abdomen into the liver and removing a small piece of tissue. A liver biopsy is typically performed using ultrasound guidance.