medical liver biopsy

medical liver biopsy

A term of art referring to a liver biopsy obtained to evaluate a non-malignant condition, including hepatitis, steatosis and overload diseases (haemochromatosis, Wilson’s disease).

Parameters assessed in a medical liver biopsy
• Elastin stain (EVG, Massons trichrome, CA2)—Presence of elastin fibres confirms fibrosis, highlights pericellular fibrosis and blocked central veins.
• Orcein or Victoria blue stains—Highlight copper associated protein, ground glass hepatocytes and elastin fibres; distinguish collapse from fibrosis.
• PAS/d—Highlights lipofuscin in Kupffer cells, bile duct basement membranes, globules in alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency.
• Perl’s stain—Detects iron overload.
• Reticulin (silver) stain—Highlights architecture.

Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.