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Gastro/Liver Centre
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Fibroscan
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The 1st clinically validated device using Transient Elastography
The FibroScan® technique is used to quantify hepatic fibrosis
in a totally non-invasive and painless manner. A painless, non-invasive alternative
to liver biopsy for evaluating the stage of liver fibrosis.
Liver disease is increasing throughout the world. Early diagnosis and intervention
can lead to a substantial reduction in morbidity and mortality from all conditions
that lead to cirrhosis including hepatitis B and C and fatty liver disease.
FibroScan® technology has been validated for the accurate assessment of liver
fibrosis in the setting of a variety of chronic liver diseases including non-alcoholic
fatty liver disease, chronic viral hepatitis B and C and excess alcohol consumption.
FibroScan® allows your doctor to monitor the progression
of your liver disease over time to facilitate the timely start of treatment.
In the early stages of liver disease, symptoms are virtually
non-existent, liver function tests and conventional ultrasound cannot accurately
detect the severity of liver fibrosis. The FibroScan® is the ideal diagnostic
tool that allows your doctor to identify patients with significant liver fibrosis
or cirrhosis. This allows treatment to be tailored to the individual's need.
Because FibroScan® can be repeated again at regular intervals, your doctor can
monitor the progression, stability or regression of your liver disease and give
an accurate quantitative measure of the success of treatments or lifestyle modification.
Greater patient comfort with no risk!
No inpatient stay is required to perform a FibroScan® examination.
The FibroScan® examination is completely non-invasive, rapid and painless. 100%
of patients accepted a FibroScan® examination.
FibroScan® examination process
A mechanical pulse is generated at the skin surface, which is
propagated through the liver. The velocity of the wave is measured by ultrasound.
The velocity is directly correlated to the stiffness of the liver, which in turn
reflects the degree of fibrosis – the stiffer the liver, the greater the degree
of fibrosis.
The examination is composed of 10 acquisitions. Easy to perform and rapid, the measurement
is expressed with a clear figure in kPa. The patient lies on his / her back, with
the right arm raised behind the head. The measurement is made on the right lobe
of the liver, with the probe being placed in an intercostal space. The result is
delivered at the end of the 10 acquisitions.
*Fibroscan® is not suitable for patients who are pregnant,
have a cardiac pacemaker or ascites
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FAQ for Fibroscan®
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1.
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What does Fibroscan® do?
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Fibroscan® measures the stiffness of your liver and by so
doing is able to evaluate whether there is any significant fibrosis or long term
damage or hardening of your liver. It does this by mechanically generating an ultrasound
wave that travels through your liver and measure the speed of the wave. The speed
of the wave is dependent on how "soft" or "hard" your liver is. Studies have already
been done which match the speed of the wave to liver stiffness and hence amount
of liver fibrosis or "hardening".
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2.
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Does Fibroscan® measure the amount of fat in my liver?
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No, Fibroscan® does not measure the amount of fat in your
liver. However, it is important to note that what is important is not how much fat
is in your liver but whether the fat has caused any long term damage or fibrosis.
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3.
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How is Fibroscan® different from a normal ultrasound scan?
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A normal ultrasound scan detects tumours in your liver, gallstones
and fatty liver disease. However it is not able to accurately quantify the amount
of fat in your liver. Furthermore, a normal ultrasound is not able to detect significant
liver fibrosis or "hardening" of the liver until it is very severe i.e. liver cirrhosis.
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4.
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If I have had an ultrasound scan, do I still need to have Fibroscan®
done?
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Fibroscan® is a completely different scan from a typical ultrasound
scan. Fibroscan® is indicated in patients with fatty liver disease, hepatitis
B, hepatitis C, alcoholic liver disease and other forms of liver disease. You will
still need a normal ultrasound scan to detect tumours, but only Fibroscan® can
tell you whether there is any significant liver damage or fibrosis well in advance
of an ultrasound scan.
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5.
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If Fibroscan painful?
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No, Fibroscan® is a non-invasive test that is pain free. However
when the ultrasound wave is deployed you will feel a gentle vibration against the
surface of your skin.
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6.
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How long does Fibroscan® take?
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Fibroscan® takes about 10min and your results are available
immediately.
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7.
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Should I repeat Fibroscan® at regular intervals?
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Yes, regular Fibroscan® on an annual basis may help in the
early detection of progressive liver disease for which you may have to start treatment.
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8.
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Are there alternatives to Fibroscan®?
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In the past,in order to measure liver fibrosis, the only method
available was a liver biopsy, but now with Fibroscan®, you have a pain-free,
risk-free and convenient way to measure liver fibrosis.
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