Fibroscan

Fibroscan is a painless test used for evaluating changes in the liver. The technique is used to measure hepatic fibrosis in a totally non-invasive and painless manner, with no risks for the patient.

Examination Process:

A probe is placed at the skin’s surface.  Using a combination of an elastic wave (generated by a mechanical pulse) and ultrasound technology, a numerical value is recorded. The stiffer the liver, the higher the value. The degree of stiffness of the liver is an indicator of damage, from whatever cause. Ten valid readings must be recorded.  The test is completely painless and normally takes up to half an hour to complete.

Conditions: 

Fibroscan technology allows accurate assessment of liver fibrosis resulting from various pathologies that cause damage to the liver, including metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, chronic viral hepatitis and excess alcohol intake.

Diagnosis:

With no restriction on the frequency of use, fibroscan can monitor the progression, stagnation or regression of an individual’s liver disease and give an accurate quantitative measure of the success of treatments or lifestyle modification.

In some cases fibroscan may reduce the need for liver biopsy when assessing disease progress.

Preparations:

• A request form must be received by the nursing staff performing the test
• The patient must fast from food 2 hours prior to the test.  Water is allowed.
• Access to the right abdominal area is required, so the patient does not need to undress

Treatment:

In the early stages of liver disease, symptoms are almost non-existent and liver function tests and conventional ultrasound have a poor predictive value in assessing fibrosis.
The fibroscan is a very useful diagnostic tool for a hepatologist to accurately identify patients with significant liver disease - allowing treatment to be tailored to the individuals need.
 
Fibroscan should not be used on patients with ascites, patients who are pregnant, patients under the age of 18 years, or patients who have implanted electronic devices.
 
Please note: It is very difficult to gather complete accuracy if the patient has a waistline measuring more than 100 cm.