Jorge L. Herrera M.D. Division of Gastroenterology University of
South Alabama College of Medicine Cirrhosis is the presence of
large amounts of scar tissue in the liver as a result of many
years of liver inflammation and injury. Cirrhosis is usually
diagnosed by doing a liver biopsy. The normal liver has no
evidence of scar tissue (figure 1). When bands of scar tissue
develop and surround groups of liver cells (also known as
regenerative nodules), the diagnosis of cirrhosis is established
(figure 2). The liver biopsy may miss the diagnosis of cirrhosis
if the sample obtained is too small or it is fragmented. In some
cases, a liver biopsy is not performed and the presence of
cirrhosis is presumed based on laboratory test results and
physical exam findings that suggest advanced liver disease. In
cases of advanced cirrhosis, a liver biopsy may be
contraindicated as the likelihood of complications is increased.
Figure 1. Normal Liver. No significant scar tissue is present.
Figure 2. Cirrhosis. Bands of scar tiss