Editorial
Copyright ©2007 Baishideng Publishing Group Co.
World J Gastroenterol. Jan 21, 2007; 13(3): 329-340
Published online Jan 21, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i3.329
Table 5 Rationale for performing liver biopsy in a case suspected of having drug-induced hepatotoxicity
Clinical settingPresentation
Any clinical contextPutative drugs not previously incriminated in liver toxicity
Acute or chronic liver diseaseFemale, autoantibody sero-positive
High serum gammaglobulin and immunoglobulin G levels at presentation
Incomplete or ambiguous de-challenge
Chronic alcoholismAcute deterioration during aversive therapy (disulfiram, carbimide calcium)
Any acute liver deterioration in a patient with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis C.e.g. worsening of liver function in a patient with primary biliary cirrhosis receiving rifampicin or a chronic hepatitis C patient receiving ibuprofen
Chronic impairment in liver tests in non-jaundiced patients.Especially if constitutional symptoms and/or clinical signs of portal hypertension are disclosed.
Young patients with sero-negative acute hepatitis or chronic liver disease.Moderate decrease in ceruloplasmin levels or slight increases in urinary copper excretion.