Table 1 Serum biomarkers and imaging techniques for the detection of liver fibrosis: A summary of the features
Feature | Serum biomarkers | Imaging techniques |
|---|---|---|
Invasiveness | Minimal (venopuction) | None |
Sensitivity to sampling error | Minimal | Some |
Interpretability of the test | High, if instructions are closely followed | Depends on experience of operator |
Costs per test | Depend on a type of the test, but generally comparable with tests for serum insulin | Depends on the cost of equipment: highest for MRI. lowest for ARFI |
Limitations imposed by anthropometric features | None | For TE and ARFI: width of the inter-costal space, the presence of ascites, the body mass index of patient and presence of visceral adiposity For MRI: fitting within the magnetic bore, severe hemochromatosis, claustrophobia |
Possibility of multiplexing | Possible, but often hard to implement | Not applicable |
Suitability for longitudinal monitoring | High | High |
Accuracy for the prediction of cirrhosis | Moderate-to-High | High |
Accuracy for the prediction of adjacent stages of fibrosis | Low-to-Moderate | Low-to-Moderate |
Interference by necroinflammatory activity and steatosis | Variable depending on the type of the test | Detectable for TE and ARFI |