Open AccessNoninvasive diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C
Author(s) -
Rudolf Stauber,
Carolin Lackner
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.v13.i32.4287
Subject(s) - transient elastography , medicine , cirrhosis , hepatic fibrosis , liver biopsy , fibrosis , gastroenterology , biopsy , hepatitis c , chronic hepatitis , pathology , chronic liver disease , radiology , immunology , virus
Assessment of hepatic fibrosis is important for determining prognosis, guiding management decisions, and monitoring disease. Histological evaluation of liver biopsy specimens is currently considered the reference test for staging hepatic fibrosis. Since liver biopsy carries a small but significant risk, noninvasive tests to assess hepatic fibrosis are desirable. This editorial gives an overview on noninvasive methods currently available to determine hepatic fibrosis and their diagnostic accuracy for predicting significant fibrosis and cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis C. Based on available data, the performance of simple tests derived from routine laboratory parameters appears to be similar to that of more complex and expensive fibrosis panels. Transient elastography seems more accurate than blood tests for diagnosing cirrhosis.