The role of liver biopsy in the study of patients with fever of unknown origin
Bruguera, M.; Torres-Salinas, M.; Bordas, J.M.; Bru, C.; Rodés, J.
Medicina Clinica 77(3): 115-117
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-7753 PMID: 7278421 Document Number: 180240
Of 25 patients undergoing percutaneous liver biopsy during the study of fever of unknown origin, the histologic examination provided useful diagnostic information in the nine cases (36 %). The liver biopsy had no diagnostic utility in the remaining 16 patients, half of whom had spontaneous resolution of the fever without a diagnosis being established. Liver enlargement or altered liver function tests were more frequent in the group of patients with a diagnostic liver biopsy, but they had no predictive value as it regards finding morphological changes of diagnostic interest. It is concluded that liver biopsy is an useful procedure in the study of patients with fever of unknown origin.