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World J Gastroenterol. Jul 21, 2014; 20(27): 9026-9037
Published online Jul 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i27.9026
Published online Jul 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i27.9026
Role of liver biopsy in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
ILKe Nalbantoglu, Elizabeth M Brunt, Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, United States
Author contributions: Nalbantoglu I and Brunt EM contributed to this manuscript.
Correspondence to: ILKe Nalbantoglu, MD, Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8118, 660 S Euclid Ave, Saint Louis, MO 63110, United States. inalbantoglu@path.wustl.edu
Telephone: +1-314-3620101 Fax: +1-314-3628950
Received: December 25, 2013
Revised: February 11, 2014
Accepted: May 12, 2014
Published online: July 21, 2014
Revised: February 11, 2014
Accepted: May 12, 2014
Published online: July 21, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common form of chronic liver disease; no clinical or serologic tests have yet replaced liver biopsy for definitive diagnosis. The histologic spectrum includes steatosis, steatohepatitis, and cirrhosis with or without active steatohepatitis. Hepatocellular carcinoma may occur in cirrhosis, or prior to cirrhosis. Liver biopsy provides vital data for patient care, clinical trials, and for ongoing research into nuances of the disease process. The histologic spectrum of NAFLD, features with co-existent diseases, differential diagnoses, grading and staging methods and the role of liver biopsy, as well as a brief description of non-invasive alternatives, are discussed.