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Abstract Details
The Use of Liver Biopsy in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: When to Biopsy and in Whom
Author information
1
Pinnacle Clinical Research, 2001 Bee Caves Road, Suite 220, Rollingwood, TX 78746, USA.
2
Liver Institute of Virginia, Bon Secours Health System, Newport News, VA, USA; Liver Institute of Virginia, Bon Secours Health System, 5885 Bremo Road, Suite 509, Richmond, VA 23226, USA. Electronic address: Mitchell_Shiffman@bshsi.org.
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common liver disorder that can be divided into benign steatosis or nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Elastography and scoring systems based on clinical features and routine biochemical testing can be used to assess fibrosis in patients with NAFLD. Patients with fibrosis are thought to have NASH. However, only a liver biopsy can reliably diagnose NAFLD and differentiate NAFL from NASH. Because medical therapy for NASH is not available, it is not necessary to perform a liver biopsy in all patients. Patients suspected of having NASH should undergo liver biopsy.