Modern liver diagnostics without pain or risk

FibroScan® is a modern, non-invasive diagnostic method used to assess the degree of liver fibrosis and steatosis, using transient elastography technique. The examination involves applying a special probe to the skin in the intercostal area, which generates mechanical waves. The speed of these waves propagation through the liver depends on its stiffness - the greater the fibrosis, the faster the wave propagates.

Preparation for the examination is simple: you should be fasting (at least 8 hours from the last meal), it is recommended to avoid alcohol and other stimulants for several days before the examination. It is worth bringing with you previous liver test results, if you have any.

No, FibroScan examination is completely painless. The patient may only feel slight vibrations or tapping in the place where the probe is applied, but they do not cause pain or discomfort.

FibroScan examination usually takes from 5 to 15 minutes. The result is available immediately after the examination, so the patient immediately learns the condition of their liver and can discuss it with a specialist.

FibroScan examination is recommended for people suspected of having liver diseases, such as: chronic viral hepatitis (HCV, HBV), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), alcoholic liver disease, as well as for patients with liver cirrhosis to monitor their health. It is also a valuable screening test for people with risk factors for liver diseases.

FibroScan examination has few contraindications. It is not performed on pregnant women. In people with abdominal obesity, ascites or very thick subcutaneous tissue, the examination may be more difficult to perform or less reliable, but modern FibroScan devices are equipped with special probes for examining obese people.

In many cases, FibroScan examination can replace invasive liver biopsy, especially in assessing the degree of liver fibrosis and monitoring the course of the disease. However, there are situations when liver biopsy remains essential, especially when detailed histopathological assessment is needed or other liver pathologies are suspected that FibroScan will not detect.

The frequency of FibroScan examinations depends on the individual patient's situation and is determined by the doctor. In case of monitoring chronic liver diseases, the examination may be repeated every 6-12 months. The advantage of FibroScan is the possibility of frequent repetition of the examination without risk to the patient.