Role of Liver Biopsy in the Diagnosis of Liver Diseases in Children

• Published in: Ankara Ueniversitesi Tip Fakültesi mecmuasi 2022-03, Vol.75 (1), p.55-62
• Main Authors: Bay, Halit, Kansu, Aydan, Kuloğlu, Zarife, Kırsaçlıoğlu, Ceyda Tuna, Yaman, Aytaç
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; tur
• Subjects: Biopsy; Laboratories; Liver; Ultrasonic imaging
• ISSN: 1307-5608; 0365-8104; 1307-5608
• DOI: 10.4274/atfm.galenos.2021.71676

Objectives: It was aimed to determine the diagnostic efficacy of liver biopsy with clinical and laboratory data by analyzing liver biopsies performed in our center in terms of indication, clinical and laboratory data, pre-diagnosis and histopathological diagnoses. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted by retrospectively examining demographic, physical examination, laboratory, ultrasonography findings, biopsy indications and histopathological diagnosis information of patients aged 0-18 years, who underwent liver biopsy with neonatal cholestasis, chronic liver disease, isolated hypertransaminasemia, isolated hepatomegaly and ultrasonographic parenchymal findings between 2008 and 2017. The patients were evaluated by dividing into two groups: those who underwent liver biopsy to confirm the pre-diagnosis (Group 1), and those without pre-diagnosis and underwent biopsy for diagnostic purposes (Group 2). Results: A total of 262 patients (mean age: 8.8±5.7 years, 53% male), including 183 (69.8%) in Group 1 and 79 (30.2%) in Group 2, were included. The definitive diagnosis was reached in 87.4% and 26.6% in two groups, respectively. Presence of pre-diagnosis (p=0.001), hepatomegaly (p=0.001), splenomegaly (p=0.001) on physical examination and detection of liver parenchymal pathology with ultrasonography (p=0.008) were found to be statistically significant in obtaining a definitive diagnosis with biopsy. Conclusion: In our entire patient group, 69.1% of the patients were definitively diagnosed. Presence of pre-diagnosis was found to be statistically significant in obtaining a histopathologically definitive diagnosis. However, based on our data, we thought that it would be appropriate to make a biopsy decision considering the risks and the benefits of liver biopsy in patients without pre-diagnosis.