Trends in the Indication and Method of Liver Biopsy for Hepatitis B and C

Background and Aims Liver biopsy plays a crucial role in assessing inflammation and fibrosis in chronic hepatitis. The aim of this study was to compare the indications and methods for performing a liver biopsy over a 15-year period when there were evolving strategies and increasing therapeutic optio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Digestive diseases and sciences 2010-10, Vol.55 (10), p.2971-2976
Main Authors: Lipp, Michael J, D'Souza, Lionel S, Clain, David J, Bodenheimer, Henry C. Jr, Min, Albert D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Biochemistry
Biological and medical sciences
Biopsy - adverse effects
Biopsy - trends
Biopsy - utilization
Care and treatment
Databases, Factual
Digestive system
Feeding. Feeding behavior
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Gastroenterology
Gastroenterology - trends
Health aspects
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B virus
Hepatitis B, Chronic - diagnostic imaging
Hepatitis B, Chronic - pathology
Hepatitis C virus
Hepatitis C, Chronic - diagnostic imaging
Hepatitis C, Chronic - pathology
Hepatology
Human viral diseases
Humans
Infectious diseases
Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects)
Liver
Liver - diagnostic imaging
Liver - pathology
Medical sciences
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Oncology
Original Article
Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques
Transplant Surgery
Ultrasonography, Interventional
Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
Viral diseases
Viral hepatitis
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Summary:Background and Aims Liver biopsy plays a crucial role in assessing inflammation and fibrosis in chronic hepatitis. The aim of this study was to compare the indications and methods for performing a liver biopsy over a 15-year period when there were evolving strategies and increasing therapeutic options for the treatment for chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV). Methods We reviewed all percutaneous liver biopsies performed at our center from 1992 to 2007 using a pathology database. Variables collected included indication for biopsy, use of real-time ultrasound (US) guidance, and complications associated with the biopsy. Results A total of 3,572 total liver biopsies were performed between 1992 and 2007 with a gradual increase in annual liver biopsies from 1992 to 2001. After a peak in 2003, there was a gradual decline in liver biopsies performed. The number of liver biopsies done for HCV peaked in 2003, followed by an annual decrease until 2006, while the number of annual biopsies done for HBV increased during the same period. In addition, the proportion of liver biopsies performed with real-time US-guidance increased steadily since 1997. Conclusions Changes in liver biopsy trends at our center may be related to several factors, including the evolving treatment strategies for HCV and HBV. Percutaneous liver biopsies were increasingly performed using real-time US-guidance over the past decade, a change that may reflect practice patterns around the country.
ISSN:0163-2116
1573-2568
DOI:10.1007/s10620-010-1337-8