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Utility of liver allograft biopsy obtained at procurement
Author(s) -
Lo Irene J.,
Lefkowitch Jay H.,
Feirt Nikki,
Alkofer Barbara,
Kin Cindy,
Samstein Benjamin,
Guarrera James V.,
Renz John F.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
liver transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.814
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1527-6473
pISSN - 1527-6465
DOI - 10.1002/lt.21419
Subject(s) - medicine , biopsy , liver biopsy , steatosis , surgery , radiology
Extended‐donor criteria (EDC) liver allografts potentiate the role of procurement biopsy in organ utilization. To expedite allocation, histologic evaluation is routinely performed upon frozen‐section (FS) specimens by local pathologists. This descriptive study compares FS reports by local pathologists with permanent‐section (PS) evaluation by dedicated hepatopathologists, identifies histologic characteristics underrepresented by FS evaluation, and evaluates the efficacy of a biopsy decision analysis based on organ visualization. Fifty‐two liver transplants using EDC allografts evaluated by FS with PS were studied. Pathologic worksheets created by an organ procurement organization were applied in 34 FS. PS analysis included 7 staining procedures for 8 histologic criteria. PS from 56 additional allografts determined not to require donor biopsy were also analyzed. A high correlation was observed between FS and PS. Underestimation of steatosis by FS was associated with allograft dysfunction. Surgical assessment of cholestasis, congestion, and steatosis was accurate whereas inflammation, necrosis, and fibrosis were underestimated in allografts suffering parenchymal injury. In conclusion, the correlation between FS and PS is high, and significant discrepancies are rare. Biopsy is not a prerequisite for EDC utilization but is suggested in hepatitis C, hypernatremia, donation after cardiac death, or multiple EDC indications. Implementation of a universal FS worksheet could standardize histologic reporting and facilitate data collection, allocation, and research. Liver Transpl 2008. © 2008 AASLD.