The evolving role of liver biopsy has induced the formulation of several guidelines on its appropriateness. However, the great divergence among hepatologists is still unresolved. We report the 4-year activity of a day hospital of gastrohepatology in northern Italy. Between January 2001 and July 2004, 835 subjects (mean age, 43+/-12 years) underwent this procedure in our facility. Etiologically, in 465 (56\%) and 157 (19\%) patients, chronic hepatitis C and nonspecific elevated liver biochemical tests were the first and second indications, followed by chronic hepatitis B and suspected nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. On a purpose basis, procedures requested for staging (n = 578) and/or for diagnosis (n = 217) were identified. Among the former, 80\% had the scope of staging chronic hepatitis C, and in 15\% of these unsuspected superimposed cirrhosis was detected. Among diagnostic procedures, nonspecific raised liver enzyme level ranked first. Twenty-two percent of patients reported unwanted effects following the procedure. In conclusion, these data accord with indications expressed by international guidelines. The impact of liver biopsy on therapeutic decision-making needs to be studied further.
The practice of percutaneous liver biopsy in a gastrohepatology day hospital: a retrospective study on 835 biopsies. / Giovanni Clemente Actis; Alda Olivero; Marco Lagget; Rinaldo Pellicano; Antonina Smedile; Mario Rizzetto. - In: DIGESTIVE DISEASES AND SCIENCES. - ISSN 0163-2116. - 52(2007), pp. 2576-2579.
Titolo: | The practice of percutaneous liver biopsy in a gastrohepatology day hospital: a retrospective study on 835 biopsies. |
Autori Riconosciuti: | |
Autori: | Giovanni Clemente Actis; Alda Olivero; Marco Lagget; Rinaldo Pellicano; Antonina Smedile; Mario Rizzetto |
Data di pubblicazione: | 2007 |
Abstract: | The evolving role of liver biopsy has induced the formulation of several guidelines on its appropriateness. However, the great divergence among hepatologists is still unresolved. We report the 4-year activity of a day hospital of gastrohepatology in northern Italy. Between January 2001 and July 2004, 835 subjects (mean age, 43+/-12 years) underwent this procedure in our facility. Etiologically, in 465 (56\%) and 157 (19\%) patients, chronic hepatitis C and nonspecific elevated liver biochemical tests were the first and second indications, followed by chronic hepatitis B and suspected nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. On a purpose basis, procedures requested for staging (n = 578) and/or for diagnosis (n = 217) were identified. Among the former, 80\% had the scope of staging chronic hepatitis C, and in 15\% of these unsuspected superimposed cirrhosis was detected. Among diagnostic procedures, nonspecific raised liver enzyme level ranked first. Twenty-two percent of patients reported unwanted effects following the procedure. In conclusion, these data accord with indications expressed by international guidelines. The impact of liver biopsy on therapeutic decision-making needs to be studied further. |
Volume: | 52 |
Pagina iniziale: | 2576 |
Pagina finale: | 2579 |
Anno del convegno: | 2007-Oct |
Rivista: | DIGESTIVE DISEASES AND SCIENCES |
Appare nelle tipologie: | 03A-Articolo su Rivista |