Doppler Ultrasound and Fibroscan Parameters Versus Liver Biopsy in Evaluation of Hepatic Fibrosis in Egyptian Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C

Background and study aim: Liver biopsy is the gold standard method to assess hepatic ‎inflammation and fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C infection (HCV). The ‎non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis is the key target that has ‎inspired many new methods because of the limitations of liver biopsy. ‎The aim of the work was to improve the efficiency of non-invasive liver ‎fibrosis assessment in Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C by ‎comparing Doppler ultrasound (US) of hepatic blood flow and ‎fibroscan with liver biopsy‎. Patients and Method: ‎ In this retrospective analysis, 78 patients with HCV had already ‎undergone liver biopsies as part of work panel prior to HCV treatment. ‎Fibroscan examination, abdominal ultrasonography and Doppler ‎ultrasound were done to the patients by experienced operators‎‎.‎ Results: There was a strong positive‏ ‏correlation between the degree of liver ‎fibrosis by fibroscan and the degree of inflammation in the ‎histopathological analysis. Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) ‎curve analysis revealed that fibroscan failed to detect FII fibrosis. ‎However, fibroscan was more accurate in detecting FIII ‎fibrosis.The Doppler ultrasound parameter ROC curve analysis, ‎the portal vein blood flow volume  (PVBFV) was shown to be ‎more accurate  in  detecting  lower  grades  of  fibrosis  than  ‎higher‎. Conclusion: For detection higher degrees of fibrosis, Fibroscan has a strong match ‎with liver biopsy; however, Doppler US is more sensitive in detecting ‎lower grades of fibrosis in patients infected with HCV‎ ‎‎‎.