title: Noninvasive tests for liver disease, fibrosis, and cirrhosis: Is liver biopsy obsolete?
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic, OH 44195, USA. careye2@ccf.org
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carey
authors.forename: William D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Carey
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000639:trends*; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D049448:Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008111:Liver Function Tests
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers