Liver biopsy with low platelets

Ellen just had an MRI which showed some lesions on her liver which need to be biopsied. Her latest count was 32k four weeks ago. Her internist seems in a hurry to get the biopsy done (yikes!) and is talking about having a platelet transfusion. Is this the best way to go? Steroids work on Ellen but IVIG is not an option.

I'd leave that decision up to the doctor. If steroids work quickly for her and get her counts up in a few days, you could insist on that route and do a fast taper. However, steroids are not the best way to go for surgeries.

Hi Rob, I am not sure how it works where you live but I just had this in Canada. The internest will have a plan but here it also matters what the person doing the biopsy felt (if that isn't the internest) and here that was a radiologist interventionalist. So I would clarify the plan with the internet and also ensure it is clarified with anyone else necessary!

Not sure if Ellen is worried about the biopsy but as I said, had one a month ago and it was not bad at all!! The anxiety of what it would be like was by far then worst part! Was easy-peasy!!! A bit tender for a few days but nkt bad at all! If she has any questions feel free to ask! For me the bone marrow biopsy (which also wasn't bad) was 5 times worse then the liver biopsy as the liver one is so quick!they used a "gun" which pulled the tissue out and it really was a matter of seconds! Then 4hours laying on that side so bring a book to keep busy!!! I think that is standard and they might even be more cautious with her itp. They made me be longer and my I to has been in remission for months before that and my platelets are in the high range now...

Good luck with it and let us know how it goes! Will be thinking of you!

Thanks, to you both. Yes, it will be an interventional radiologist, and they (including the hematologiost) are already on top of the platelet issue. As you suggest, Sandi, we will leave the decision up to them... subject to your approval, of course! They are having trouble getting the biopsy scheduled, so there probably will be time for a dex pulse, if they go that route. I hope they don't keep us waiting too long, as we are both anxious of the results. Ellen is much more concerned about the results than the procedure itself.

Yes, I can certainly understand being more anxious for the results and am glad all the docs are talking together- makes it so much easier when they talk to each other and not through you!
Hope they get it scheduled soon and hope the results are also soon after that! Best of luck to you and Ellen in this!

Don't look at me! I'm sure her doctors will do the best thing to get her counts up.

I know how scary it is to wait for results. Seems I do that a lot. After a while you just get used to it and waiting isn't as hard. I wish you both the best and I hope you don't have to wait too long. I had a lung CT last week and they called me with the results three hours later. I couldn't believe it. All they said was that the nodule was stable. I guess I'll take that!

So today was Ellen's Biopsy Day. MRIs delivered to Interventional Radiology 10 days ahead of time --- check. Cancel my flight to New York --- check. Cancel all of Ellen's patients for the day --- check. Dex pulse to get her platelets up --- check. Antibiotics because of hip prostheses --- check. Two separate blood draws to make sure her blood is okay for the procedure --- check. All systems go... except literally AT THE VERY LAST MINUTE the radiologist changes his mind and decides the biopsy is overkill and he wants a repeat MRI in three months instead. Happy, frustrated, thankful, angry, relieved... my head is spinning like Linda Blair in The Exorcist.

Wow.

That is wild! Hope you can sit back and take a couple deep breaths now.

I've seen linda Blair in the exorcist so ewww! Hope the spinning stops soon and you two can relax for a bit!

Geez, that's frustrating!