RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Noninvasive tests for liver disease, fibrosis, and cirrhosis: Is liver biopsy obsolete?
JF Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
JO Cleve Clin J Med
FD Cleveland Clinic
SP 519
OP 527
DO 10.3949/ccjm.77a.09138
VO 77
IS 8
A1 Emily Carey
A1 William D. Carey
YR 2010
UL http://www.ccjm.org/content/77/8/519.abstract
AB Liver biopsy has been used to diagnose chronic liver disease and to assess the degree of hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. However, it is an invasive test with many possible complications and the potential for sampling error. Noninvasive tests are increasingly precise in identifying the cause of many cases of liver disease and even the amount of liver injury (fibrosis). This review discusses the role of noninvasive tests to diagnose liver disease and to assess hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis.