Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Liver Biopsy: Missing the Limitations in the Hype

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsy is increasingly being performed at several centers. It is also being promoted at endoscopy conferences. The currently available literature does not support the routine use of endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsy as results are either inferior or comparable to percutaneous liver biopsy. We discuss the technical limitations of endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsy when compared to percutaneous liver biopsy and the comparative studies in the current review. The routine use of endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsy should be discouraged as it may get less tissue, the complication rate is similar and it is more costly. ( J CLIN EXP HEPATOL 2024;14:101273)

Automated summary

Research shows that endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsy has technical limitations compared to percutaneous liver biopsy, with inferior results. Therefore, routine use of endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsy is not recommended.