Liver biopsy

Fibrosis, the excess deposition of extracellutar matrix in the Liver is a form of anatomical damage to the liver parenchyma, so that liver biopsy is the only approach for its direct assessment. Although liver biopsy has its limitations, appropriate precautions can reduce the flaws inherent in this method. The level. of accuracy obtained with biopsy is particularly important for obtaining a starting point in patients with chronic liver disease who are to be followed-up over a number of years. Therefore, liver biopsy has been used as the gold standard to establish algorithm combinations of biological tests. As well. as an accurate assessment of the extent of Liver fibrosis, the biopsy can reveal other informations and associated features relevant to evaluation of the fibrotic process. (C) 2008 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.