The Role of Liver Biopsy in the Non-Invasive Methods Era and Liver Stiffness Measurement Using Transient Elastography

Abstract

Liver biopsy is still the most accurate tool to assess liver histopathology in chronic liver disease (CLD), especially in patients with chronic active hepatitis who need a treatment decision. Nowadays, there are many non-invasive methods are being used to assess liver fibrosis and might replace liver biopsy. One of the new methods is transient elastography (TE/Fibroscan) which has been widely used to predict liver fibrosis in chronic active hepatitis B and C. However, whether TE is ready to replace the liver biopsy is still controversial. In cases like chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB), autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), drug induced liver injury (DILI), and cholestatic liver diseases, the role of liver biopsy is very important to make the whole information of liver histopathology (not only about liver fibrosis). On the other hand, to make a diagnosis of liver cirrhosis, we have some parameters that can be used, such as clinical stigmata of advanced chronic liver disease (jaundice, hyper pigmentation, spider nevi, palmar erythema, ascites, edema, and others), low level of platelet count, and low level of albumin, prolonged protombin time, and picture of liver cirrhosis based on ultrasound examination. In chronic active hepatitis B infection, the treatment decision is usually based on the increase level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), high HBV-DNA serum level, and the presence of HBeAg status. In patients with normal ALT level or less than 2x ULN, the liver biopsy is needed to decide whether the antiviral therapy should be started or not. In this group, not only liver fibrosis assessment is important, but also the degree of necroinflammation will influence the decision of antiviral therapy. From the point of view of liver fibrosis itself when using TE, it is not always accurate to differentiate between fibrosis 1 or 2, since this differentiation is also important to start antiviral therapy. Despite the etiology of liver injury, TE itself has problem with overweight and obese patients, and patients with narrowed intercostals space. TE also cannot be performed in ascitic patient because the interposed fluid blocks the shear wave. The increase of liver stiffness cut off is also can be influenced by metabolic syndrome, age, BMI, and the increase of ALT level. The liver biopsy still has the most important role in assessing liver histopathology but we might reduce the need of liver biopsy examination in some patients. At this moment, TE can