i. What is FibroScan?

FibroScan is a non-invasive, convenient and highly accurate test for liver fat content and fibrosis. It utilises the patented Vibration-Controlled Transient Elastography to measure the stiffness, scarring and fat accumulation in the liver. The controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) score and liver stiffness result (measured in eKpa) can measure the fatty change in the liver to diagnose fatty liver disease. It is a non-invasive and painless test. Repeated tests with FibroScan will not result in any side effects.

The examinee lies on his/ her back. The physician places the FibroScan probe in an intercostal space with slight pressure. It generates a harmless elastic shear wave from its probe to the liver tissue. This wave is tracked and measured by ultrasound. The examinee could only feel a slight vibration at the tip. FibroScan examination is radiation-free and non-invasive.

ii. Importance of Liver Fibrosis/ Cirrhosis Assessment

Liver Fibrosis refers to the formation of excess fibrous tissue in the liver as a result of long-term inflammation. When liver fibrosis worsens, it can progress into liver cirrhosis. Many liver cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer death in Hong Kong. Chronic hepatitis B & C, fatty liver disease, diabetes mellitus, and alcoholism are common causes of liver cirrhosis. As liver fibrosis is the early pathological process of liver cirrhosis, assessment of liver fibrosis has become an important clinical parameter to predict the risk of liver-related complications.

Progression of liver cirrhosis

  1. Liver inflammation
  2. Liver fibrosis
  3. Liver cirrhosis

iii. Advantages of Liver Assessment

Blood tests including liver enzymes only reveal the degree of inflammation in various types of hepatitis, but they cannot measure the severity of liver fibrosis. Although liver biopsy is the traditional gold standard to assess liver fibrosis, its use is limited by its invasive nature and the risk of bleeding. Therefore, FibroScan is the indisputable non-invasive tool for liver fibrosis assessment.

  1. Non-invasive method
  2. Allow accurate measurement of liver fibrosis and detection of mild fatty liver
  3. Results immediately available after the examination
  4. Numeric results allow monitoring by repeated examinations
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