Liver Disease
The liver is a vital organ that performs many important functions in the body, including:
- Removing toxins from the blood
- Digesting food
- Storing energy
- Producing bile, which helps to digest fats
- Fighting infection
Liver disease is any condition that damages the liver and impairs its ability to function. There are many different types of liver disease, and they can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Alcohol abuse
- Viral hepatitis (hepatitis A, B, and C)
- Fatty liver disease
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Cirrhosis
- Cancer
Treatment options for liver disease depend on the type of liver disease and the severity of the damage. Lifestyle changes and medications are the recommended first steps towards a healthier liver.
Our interventional radiology team use minimally-invasive procedures to treat a variety of medical conditions, including liver disease. Some common interventional radiology procedures used to treat liver disease include:
Percutaneous liver biopsy: This procedure is used to remove a small piece of liver tissue for testing.
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS): This procedure is used to create a shunt, or a channel, between the hepatic vein and the portal vein. This can help to reduce pressure in the liver and improve blood flow.
Embolization: This procedure is used to block blood flow to a tumor or other abnormal tissue in the liver.
Liver diseases are serious and can impact your general well-being in a permanent way. If you have any concerns about your liver health, please do not hesitate to schedule an appointment.