Comparing Pain in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Versus Transjugular Techniques of Liver Biopsy

Overview

Background: In a liver biopsy, a small piece of liver is removed. A percutaneous liver biopsy (PLB) is done through a needle on the right side of your belly. In a transjugular liver biopsy (TLB), the right side of the neck is numbed and a straw-like tube is put in. The tube goes down to your liver and a piece of liver is removed. Researchers want to learn more about the pain people feel after each of these procedures. Objectives: To compare whether there is more pain associated with the PLB versus TLB. Eligibility: Adults 18 years or older enrolled in a separate protocol (91-DK-0214) for liver biopsy. They must be able to read, write, and speak English. Design: Under the separate protocol (91-DK-0214), participants will be screened and have a liver biopsy. Before the biopsy, participants will give their medical history. They will answer questions about past surgeries and how they feel about pain. Participants will have a pain test with a device called a dolorimeter. They will sit up with their feet on the ground, and put their thumbs on a table. They will feel pressure on each thumb until it they say it is painful. Before the biopsy and 2, 4, and 6 hours after the biopsy, they will answer pain questions.

Millions of Americans are diagnosed with some form of Hepatitis or other liver disease requiring treatment. Liver biopsies are frequently performed mainly to stage disease, aid in diagnosis and to guide treatment. As part of the assessment of Hepatitis patients, a liver biopsy is frequently part of the regimen. Liver biopsy procedures can be performed using one of two methods: percutaneous liver biopsy (PLB) or transjugular liver biopsy (TLB). Alknawy \& Shiffman (2007) discuss approaches of percutaneous liver biopsy that included the percussion-palpation approach, image guided, ultrasound assisted, ultrasound guided and type of biopsy needle used. The method of liver biopsy selected will not be randomly assigned but will be determined by the hepatologist caring for the patient. Pain can be a complication following a liver biopsy requiring adequate pain management. Despite an extensive review of previous studies, none were found that discussed the pain experiences of patients who have undergone PLB versus TLB. This study proposes to compare the amount of pain experienced by patients who have undergone PLB versus TLB. Thirty-two male and female patients age 18 years and older who meet study criteria will be invited to participate. The participants will be placed into either the PLB or TLB group with each group consisting of 16 male or 16 female participants. Prior to the biopsy and within the first 6 hours post procedure, at the 2, 4 and 6-hour time points, the patient will be asked to rate their pain on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and on the Numeric Pain Scale (NPS). Additionally, the dolorimeter will be used pre liver biopsy along with the VAS and the NPS as standardized pain measurements.