Sampling variability of liver biopsy in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background & Aims: In nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the distinction between steatosis and steatohepatitis (NASH) and the assessment of the severity of the disease rely on liver histology alone. The aim of this study was to assess the sampling error of liver biopsy and its impact on the diagnosis and staging of NASH.

Methods: Fifty-one patients with NAFLD underwent percutaneous liver biopsy with 2 samples collected.