Liver Biopsies: Are They Helpful?

Liver disease is commonly encountered in equine practice and horses suspected of suffering from such may be subject to various investigative methods. There are 3 fundamental aims of the investigation of cases of suspected liver disease:
1)  to confirm whether or not liver disease is genuinely present.
2)  to determine the severity of liver disease.
3)  to determine the type/cause of liver disease present.

Several noninvasive tests are available to help answer these questions, including clinical examination, ultrasonography, serum concentrations of liver derived enzymes and indicators of hepatic dysfunction. Further information may be gained from hepatic biopsy specimens although the value of this information for case management should be balanced against the costs and risks of the procedure. Although adverse consequences of liver biopsy are frequently listed in medical textbooks, it is this author’s experience from many hundreds of biopsy procedures that serious adverse consequences are extremely rare. However, prior to undertaking the procedure it is important to inform the owner of the likelihood and extent of answering the 3 questions. [...]