Liver Fibrosis and Its Assessment

Abstract

Liver fibrosis is a reversible reaction of liver wound repair that is characterized as the accumulation of an extracellular matrix (i.e., the formation of scar tissue). Liver fibrosis occurs after chronic, non-self-limiting liver disease. It is essential to assess the existence or the severity of liver fibrosis in patients who need or have had partial liver resection. It not only can determine whether the patient can tolerate the operation, but it is also related to the postoperative safety of the patient. There are a variety of methods for diagnosing liver fibrosis, including invasive and noninvasive methods. The purpose of this chapter is to introduce the methods to diagnose liver fibrosis.