FibroScan is a non-invasive diagnostic procedure primarily used by hepatology clinics, gastroenterology practices, and liver disease centers to assess liver health. The procedure detects liver fibrosis (scarring) and steatosis (fatty liver) in patients with various liver conditions, including hepatitis B and C, fatty liver disease, and cirrhosis. It is often used as an alternative to liver biopsy, which is invasive and carries certain risks. Beyond providing immediate results, FibroScans help physicians assess disease severity, guide treatment decisions, and monitor disease progression over time.
FAQs
Your physician may recommend a FibroScan test if you suffer from one of the following chronic liver diseases or conditions:
- Alcoholic liver disease
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Cholestatic liver diseases
- Cirrhosis
- Hemochromatosis
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer)
- Metabolic liver diseases
- Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
- Wilson’s disease
When assessing liver health, FibroScan offers several advantages over traditional methods, such as liver biopsy. It is of short duration, non-invasive, painless, and does not require anesthesia or hospitalization. Additionally, it is easy to readminister, enabling physicians to track the progression of any disease and adjust treatment accordingly. Test results are also generated immediately.
When undergoing a FibroScan procedure, you lie on your back with your right arm raised behind your head, while a technician places a small, non-invasive probe against your skin on the right side of the abdomen. The probe emits a mild vibration, creating a low-frequency sound wave that travels through the liver tissue. The FibroScan device then measures the speed of this wave as it passes through the liver. Liver stiffness, which is correlated with fibrosis, and liver fat content can be determined based on the speed of the wave.
The entire measurement process takes only a few minutes and is painless.
FibroScan is considered safe, with minimal risks or complications.
Patients undergoing a FibroScan typically do not need special preparation. However, you should avoid eating or drinking (including water) for THREE hours before the procedure to minimize the impact of abdominal bloating on the accuracy of the results.
The results of a FibroScan can provide valuable information about the extent of liver damage and help healthcare providers diagnose and monitor liver diseases, such as hepatitis B and C, fatty liver disease, and cirrhosis. FibroScan results are typically interpreted based on the liver stiffness measurement (LSM). Higher LSM values indicate increased liver stiffness, which may suggest more advanced liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. The results are often compared to established thresholds or cutoff values to determine the degree of liver damage.
FibroScan does not require anesthesia, so you will be able to drive yourself from the test. Test results are provided instantly and will be given to your physician to review. You will be notified of them and provided a copy of your results once your physician has reviewed them.