(1) Continuous large-volume peritoneal drainage by gravity is safe and effective; (2) if the procedure is limited 72 h, no cases of ascitic fluid contamination/infection occur; and (3) it reduces the time between subsequent paracentesis based upon historical data.

The pathologist's assessment of the histological grading of iron relates directly to the histology activity index and hepatic iron concentration. Serum measures of iron, total iron-binding capacity and ferritin can be used to monitor hepatic iron content more economically and simply than with hepatic iron concentration measurement on liver biopsy.

Recombinant factor VIIa could be used to obtain a clinically indicated liver biopsy in severely ill patients, who without this therapeutic agent, would either not be biopsied or, if biopsied, would require much longer hospitalization and the use of fresh-frozen plasma (with its risks of volume overload and infection).

A variety of biases determine and/or affect the radiologist's assessment of liver size but not of splenic size.