Liver Fibroscan
Liver Fibroscan
A FibroScan is a non-invasive medical device used to assess the level of fibrosis (scarring) and fat accumulation in the liver. It’s commonly used to evaluate the health and condition of the liver in individuals with various liver diseases, particularly those with chronic liver conditions like hepatitis, fatty liver disease, and cirrhosis. The device uses a technology called transient elastography to measure the stiffness of the liver tissue, which can provide valuable information about the degree of liver damage.
Liver Fibroscan
FibroScan is a specialized ultrasound machine for your liver. It measures fibrosis (scarring) and steatosis (fatty change) in your liver. It can be used alone or with other tests (such as blood tests, imaging scans, or biopsies) that also measure scarring or fatty change in your liver. The overall accuracy of FibroScan was as good as or better than that of other non-invasive methods. … However, non-invasive tests are strongly predictive of the target conditions in a limited proportion of patients only (cirrhosis: 0-60% significant fibrosis: 9-30% of patients, depending on the test).
Here's how a FibroScan typically works:
1. Preparation: Generally, no special preparation is needed for a FibroScan. Patients can usually eat, drink, and take their medications as usual on the day of the test.
2. Procedure: The patient lies down on a bed, and a technician applies a water-based gel to the skin over the right upper abdomen. The technician then places the FibroScan probe on the gel-coated area.
3. Measurement: The FibroScan probe emits a mechanical pulse, which creates a vibration in the liver tissue. This vibration generates shear waves that travel through the liver. The device measures the speed at which these shear waves travel through the liver, providing information about the tissue’s stiffness.
4. Stiffness Calculation: The FibroScan calculates the liver stiffness based on the speed of the shear waves. Liver stiffness is closely related to the amount of fibrosis or scarring present in the liver.
5. Results: The FibroScan provides a numerical value for liver stiffness. This value is often expressed in kilopascals (kPa). A higher kPa value indicates more advanced fibrosis or liver damage.
The results obtained from a FibroScan can help healthcare providers determine the extent of liver damage and tailor appropriate treatment plans. It’s a useful tool for tracking the progression of liver diseases and monitoring the effectiveness of interventions.
FibroScan is considered a safe and painless procedure, with minimal discomfort for most patients. It offers several advantages over traditional liver biopsy, which is an invasive procedure. However, FibroScan is not suitable for everyone, and its accuracy may be affected by factors such as obesity and certain medical conditions. As with any medical test, the results should be interpreted by a qualified healthcare provider who specializes in liver diseases or hepatology.