Utility of Noninvasive Markers of Fibrosis in Cholestatic Liver Diseases

Abstract

Methods of liver fibrosis assessment have changed considerably in the last 20 years, and noninvasive markers now have been recognized as major first-line tools in the management of patients with chronic viral hepatitis infection. But what about the efficiency and utility of these surrogate indices for the more uncommon chronic cholestatic liver diseases, namely primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis? This article provides clinicians with a global overview of what is currently known in the field. Both diagnostic and prognostic aspects of noninvasive markers of fibrosis in cholestatic liver diseases are presented and discussed.

Keywords: Elastography; Liver biopsy; Primary biliary cirrhosis; Primary sclerosing cholangitis; Prognosis; Surrogate markers.