Contents

#### **Preface XI**


Chapter 6 **Current Trends in Liver Biopsy Indications for Chronic Liver Diseases 103** Jean-François Cadranel and Jean-Baptiste Nousbaum


Preface

evaluation of liver diseases.

Liver biopsy is a procedure that involves obtaining a small piece of liver tissue, which is then analyzed in the laboratory. Liver biopsy may be used to evaluate a mass seen on ultrasound, CT or MRI images, diagnose unexplained liver diseases or abnormal liver function tests, determine the severity of the liver diseases including non-alcoholic liver disease, certain liver disease such as chronic hepatitis B or C, primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, autoimmune hepatitis, hemochromatosis or Wilson's disease, and monitor the liver after a liver transplantation. Liver biopsy is a safe procedure when performed by an experienced doctor. However, it is an invasive procedure, and the common problems include mild pain and a decrease in blood pressure. Although more serious complications such as bleeding, infection, and injury of nearby organs are rare but potentially lethal, the monitoring within 24 hours after the liver biopsy is important. This book describes the role, indication, contraindication, technique and evaluation of outcome of liver biopsy. I believe that it will be greatly useful to the readers. Furthermore, this book introduces transgastric liver biopsy using NOTES technique and non-invasive alternatives including elastography and computer analysis of liver fibrosis as new tools for the

> **Nobumi Tagaya, M.D., Ph.D.** Department of Surgery,

> > Koshigaya, Saitama,

Japan

Dokkyo Medical University Koshigaya Hospital,

