Wondering if anyone here has experience with an Endoscopic Liver Biopsy to check on PBC /AIH staging?

[JennerLayne]

Anyone here had a liver biopsy done via and EUS / Endoscopy? Back in 2013, I had a traditional liver biopsy and apparently this is a new technique for performing more procedures at once using needle aspiration guided by ultrasound. I am curious what the recovery time is versus the older method. Also, the doctor intends to measure the portal hypertension pressure (portosystemic gradient with EGD) and also treat bleeds resulting from watermelon stomach (AKA Gastic Antral Vascular Ectasia) via APC or RFA. I also just learned results via a pill cam test last week that I have several non-bleeding AVMS in the duodenum and jejunum. From what I heard, those will be left alone tomorrow. If anyone has had any of the endoscopic procedures, I would love to learn about your experience, recovery, and any additional treatments that stemmed from the procedure. Thank you!

[gwillistexas]

Well, I was just referring to my biopsy but yours is different. Sorry😊

[TanGram]

Hi Jenner. I had that procedure 3 months ago. I'm in the US. In a nut shell, it was a gun, reminded me of a small glue gun with a thin needle. Its guided in pretty quick with the ultrasound. I had 5 shots. Usually they do three, but DR. missed twice. I chose no meds with my procedure. Done in 5 minutes max. Very little pain, little sore for 2 days. That's it. I was scared. Trust me. It's a good thing, or at least it was for me. 😁

Laurie 🙂

[JennerLayne in reply to TanGram]

Lucky you to have such an easy procedure with limited pain. I weathered the procedure fine on Tuesday. Given the amount of stomach issues from the Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia and multiple AVMs, they completed the procedure under general anesthesia. Unfortunately, after the procedure, my normally low BP of 90/60 dropped significantly and I was held for observation 3 hours.

Fast forward to Wed, the pain was incredible throughout my entire abdominal area and back. The doctor recommended I go to the closest ER (not the same hospital as the surgical team). They called the ER for me and told doctors what bloodwork and complications to look for.

Turns out I suffered ‘thermal injury” from the argon gas and then experienced seriously low BP from pain meds.

Would I do this procedure again? Sure! I appreciate the surgical team for doing the procedures together. The biopsy and portal vein pressure gave the necessary info we needed. After suffering bleeds from the GAVE and fearing ruptured from AVMs, for now they are fixed and may help keep my anemia at bay. Too, everyone is different and responds to procedures and stimuli differently.

I might add, I have multiple AI issues including Systemic Sclerosis (limited Cutaneous Scleroderma) and understand my body tissue varies from most. The good news is that next time I need AVM and GAVE repair, it’ll be a lesser procedure. I believe I can manage that pain without meds and we now know to monitor my BP.

[TanGram in reply to JennerLayne]

Wow!! I'm not sure exactly what all you are going through, but you seem to be handling things well. Im pretty new to PBC life and have so many questions and concerns. The people on here are amazing at helping if they can. 🙂