Hepatitis disease - Cutting Out the Biopsy

Author

Cutting Out the Biopsy

A.Melon

2005-04-19, 10:43 am

A certain red-haired friend of mine asked me if I would pass
this imformation on to the newsgroup as it may be of interest to
those who may, or may not, have found the biopsy painful or
expensive.

I am not subscribed to this magazine myself, so I have no way of
posting the full article, but this is the headline, and the url:

Cutting Out the Biopsy

New blood tests could decrease the number of biopsies performed
on hepatitis patients

By Marc S. Botts

www.hepatitismag.com/current.asp

Alan

Waterspider

2005-04-19, 10:43 am

"A.Melon" <juicy@melontraffickers.com> wrote in message
news:2d8256a271ed7aed517681627ef258a4@melontraffickers.com...
>A certain red-haired friend of mine asked me if I would pass
> this imformation on to the newsgroup as it may be of interest to
> those who may, or may not, have found the biopsy painful or
> expensive.
> I am not subscribed to this magazine myself, so I have no way of
> posting the full article, but this is the headline, and the url:
>
> Cutting Out the Biopsy
> New blood tests could decrease the number of biopsies performed
> on hepatitis patients
> By Marc S. Botts
> www.hepatitismag.com/current.asp
> Alan
>
Yeah, there's no links to the article but I think it's talking about the
FibroSpec or Fibrotest (something like that); it's a blood test and
argueably as accurate as a biopsy in determining the level of
fibrosis/cirrhosis. Apparently the tried and true tissue biopsy is not the
perfect diagnostic tool either, because different sample areas of the liver
often reveal different levels and patterns of damage. Given that there is a
risk of dangerous complications involved in biopsy (not to mention expense,
inconvenience and discomfort), so the blood test would seem like the way to
go. Unfortunately it's not available in most of the world and most doctors
aren't aware of it as an option.

Waterspider

A.Melon

2005-04-19, 10:43 am

In article <sYT7e.40571$jR3.3438@edtnps84>
"Waterspider" <waterspider@moonshine.net> wrote:
>
>
> "A.Melon" <juicy@melontraffickers.com> wrote in message
> news:2d8256a271ed7aed517681627ef258a4@melontraffickers.com...
> Yeah, there's no links to the article but I think it's talking about the
> FibroSpec or Fibrotest (something like that); it's a blood test and
> argueably as accurate as a biopsy in determining the level of
> fibrosis/cirrhosis. Apparently the tried and true tissue biopsy is not the
> perfect diagnostic tool either, because different sample areas of the liver
> often reveal different levels and patterns of damage. Given that there is a
> risk of dangerous complications involved in biopsy (not to mention expense,
> inconvenience and discomfort), so the blood test would seem like the way to
> go. Unfortunately it's not available in most of the world and most doctors
> aren't aware of it as an option.
>
> Waterspider

She was on the phone, and she said it was in the mag, and people might want to
know about it, and would I post it, and that was all I could find by Googling,
and she said something about it being available in Paris, and I guess the only
one who will know about that is the pseudo-redhead who now lives in France, but
then she hasn't said anything about it yet, has she?

But thanks for the help Spidey, aand has your truck got cow-horns on the
radiator grill?

Alan

greyhackles

2005-04-19, 10:43 am

On Fri, 15 Apr 2005 04:27:28 -0700 (PDT), A.Melon <juicy@melontraffickers.com>
wrote:

>A certain red-haired friend of mine asked me if I would pass
>this imformation on to the newsgroup as it may be of interest to
>those who may, or may not, have found the biopsy painful or
>expensive.
>
>I am not subscribed to this magazine myself, so I have no way of
>posting the full article, but this is the headline, and the url:
>
>Cutting Out the Biopsy
>
>New blood tests could decrease the number of biopsies performed
>on hepatitis patients
>
>By Marc S. Botts
>
>www.hepatitismag.com/current.asp
>
>Alan

fwiw, you can hit the full article here:

http://www.hepatitismag.com/storydetail.asp?storyid=138

A traditional punch biopsy can only be counted upon to indicate the *least*
degree of damage present in the liver, thus the article makes a valid point
about the benefit of indirect scanning to the liver-challenged - even leaving
the issue of biopsy pain completely out of the equation. That's good.

otoh, there was no new information in the article. I would appreciate never
having to have a biopsy again, but this sure reads like a piece of periodic
pump-priming hype to me...

While there were no serious complications, my traditional, non-sedated liver
punch biopsy left me stunned and breathless. The lingering pain was a
second-order effect.

I attribute the ordeal to an F2-F3 liver; my bet is lower levels of fibrosis
allow the punch to sink cleanly, while the hardened condition of higher levels
translate some of the punch energy into a rather sharp movement of the organ.

My right lung - already deflated to a shriveled balloon - was not amused by
the intruding liver ;-)

cheers

/greyhackles

Waterspider

2005-04-19, 10:43 am

"A.Melon" <juicy@melontraffickers.com> wrote in message
news:f919cd5ff5eb7daf20eea83a8a43292a@melontraffickers.com...
> In article <sYT7e.40571$jR3.3438@edtnps84>
> "Waterspider" <waterspider@moonshine.net> wrote:
>
> She was on the phone, and she said it was in the mag, and people might
> want to
> know about it, and would I post it, and that was all I could find by
> Googling,
> and she said something about it being available in Paris, and I guess the
> only
> one who will know about that is the pseudo-redhead who now lives in
> France, but
> then she hasn't said anything about it yet, has she?
>
> But thanks for the help Spidey, aand has your truck got cow-horns on the
> radiator grill?

No cow horns, just paw-prints all over the roof and hood.

WS

A.Melon

2005-04-19, 10:43 am

In article <TIx8e.36398$VF5.878@edtnps89>
"Waterspider" <waterspider@moonshine.net> wrote:
>
> "A.Melon" <juicy@melontraffickers.com> wrote in message
> news:f919cd5ff5eb7daf20eea83a8a43292a@melontraffickers.com...
>
> No cow horns, just paw-prints all over the roof and hood.
>
> WS

Elmo's Heidi again? :-)

Alan

Waterspider

2005-04-19, 10:43 am

"A.Melon" <juicy@melontraffickers.com> wrote in message
news:008f6b9c728040400b233a610ed6aa9a@melontraffickers.com...
> In article <TIx8e.36398$VF5.878@edtnps89>
> "Waterspider" <waterspider@moonshine.net> wrote:
>
> Elmo's Heidi again? :-)
> Alan
>
Nah, just cats. In the sunshine, the metal is nice and warm and on their
muddy little paws, or refreshing just after I've washed it in the hot
weather.

WS

Waterspider

2005-04-21, 8:53 am

A.Melon

2005-04-25, 8:53 am

Waterspider

2005-04-25, 8:53 am