LIVER-BIOPSY IN FEVER OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN - A REAPPRAISAL

Citation
T. Holtz et al., LIVER-BIOPSY IN FEVER OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN - A REAPPRAISAL, Journal of clinical gastroenterology, 17(1), 1993, pp. 29-32
Citations number
13
Categorie Soggetti
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
ISSN journal
01920790
Volume
17
Issue
1
Year of publication
1993
Pages
29 - 32
Database
ISI
SICI code
0192-0790(1993)17:1<29:LIFOUO>2.0.ZU;2-R
Abstract
We assessed the value of liver biopsy in the diagnosis of fever of unk nown origin (FUO) in hospital-based patients by a retrospective analys is of all cases (24 cases) seen at the University of Michigan Medical Center over a 5-year period. Based on the findings of a liver biopsy p erformed in the course of the evaluation of FUO, patients were divided into two groups: a diagnostic group, in which an abnormal liver biops y was helpful in determining the cause of the FUO, and a nondiagnostic group, which included those who had either normal biopsy results or a bnormal biopsy results that did not lead to a final diagnosis. Four pa tients (16.7%) had diagnostic liver biopsy results (histoplasmosis in three and tuberculosis in one). Physical findings, such as hepatomegal y, and laboratory data, including routine liver chemistries, were not predictive of a diagnostic liver biopsy. Therefore, despite advances i n diagnostic technology since this subject was last reviewed, liver bi opsy continues to be useful in the diagnosis of FUO. Furthermore, in e ndemic or borderline endemic areas, histoplasmosis should be considere d in the differential diagnosis of FUO, and liver biopsy can be helpfu l to confirm this diagnosis.