Study of Liver Biopsy in Chronic Liver Diseases

Abstract

Background Chronic liver disease (CLD) represents liver disorders of varying causes and severity in which hepatic inflammation and necrosis continue for at least 6 months. The treatment of cause leads to regression of fibrosis and parenchymal recovery. Liver biopsy is often used to establish the diagnosis, assess the severity of disease in CLD and its role is evolving with advances in medical technology. To study the histopathological pattern of injury in patients with CLD and thereby establish a possible etiologic diagnosis in correlation with clinical, biochemical and serologic findings. Methods Thirty five cases of CLD with histopathological features of necroinflammation/fibrosis were studied for a period of five years. Along with demographics and laboratory parameters, sections were studied for the pattern and degree of injury. Grading and staging were done using standard systems. Results Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (31.42%) and alcoholic liver disease (25.71%) were the most common causes followed by viral hepatitis (11.42%) and drug induced liver injury (8.58%). One case each of autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cirrhosis were seen. A definitive diagnosis was not possible in six patients, and only a probable etiology was considered. Conclusion The natural history of CLD is changing and is important to establish an etiological diagnosis. Despite the advances in diagnostic techniques, liver biopsy remains a valuable tool to establish the etiology and traditional descriptive reports still hold importance for the treatment and prognosis. However, it remains challenging and should be interpreted in the setting of clinical, biochemical, serological and radiological findings.