[Diagnosis of cirrhosis in adults].

The diagnosis of cirrhosis relies on the histological analysis of a liver sample provided by biopsy made by transparietal or transjugular route according to the haemostasis of the patient. The histological study allows also to characterize the causative process and the severity of the disease. In the absence of histological proof a high probability of cirrhosis could be assumed when a firm liver with a narrow inferior edge is associated or not with signs of hepatic failure or portal hypertension. The most common causes of cirrhosis in France are alcohol abuse, C and B viruses, genetic haemochromatosis, chronic active autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis. The prevalence of viral causes is increasing.