What is FibroScan? and How Can It Help to diagnose liver diseases?
What Is Fibroscan?
Fibroscan is a non-invasive medical technique utilized to evaluate the scope of liver damage in individuals with chronic liver disease. The test is based on quick elastography, which calculates the speed of a vibration wave as it travels via the liver tissue. Fibroscan Test is widely used as an alternative to liver biopsy, which is a more invasive and painful procedure. The test works by measuring the stiffness of the liver, which can indicate the amount of scarring or fibrosis that has occurred.
Who needs a Fibroscan?
Fibroscan is recommended for individuals with chronic liver disease, including:
- Hepatitis B or C infection
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Alcoholic liver disease
- Autoimmune liver disease
In addition, the Fibroscan test can be used as a screening tool for liver disease, particularly in populations with a high prevalence of liver disease, such as individuals with a history of intravenous drug use or those from regions where hepatitis B or C is endemic. Dr. Vikrant Kale at Kaizen Gastro Care is a specialist in liver diseases and performs Fibroscan tests as part of his practice. If you have been diagnosed with a liver disease, or have risk factors for liver disease, it is recommended that you consult with Dr. Kale to determine whether a Fibroscan test is appropriate for your case.
How is the test performed?
What does the result indicate?
The fibroscan outcome is represented in kilopascals (kPa), which is a measure of liver immobility. The higher the kPa value, the more fibrotic or damaged the liver is. The result can be interpreted as follows:
- Less than 7.0 kPa: No or minimal fibrosis
- 7.0-9.5 kPa: Mild to moderate fibrosis
- 9.5-12.5 kPa: Significant fibrosis
- More than 12.5 kPa: Severe fibrosis or cirrhosis
What are the benefits of Fibroscan?
Fibroscan has several benefits over liver biopsy, including:
- Non-invasive: Fibroscan is a non-invasive procedure that does not require any needles or incisions.
- Painless: The test is painless and does not cause any discomfort or bleeding.
- Quick: The test takes only 10 to 15 minutes to complete.
- Accurate: Fibroscan is a reliable tool for assessing liver fibrosis and can detect even mild fibrosis that may be missed by liver biopsy.
Top Asked Questions:
No, the Fibroscan test is non-invasive and painless. It is similar to having an ultrasound.
The test itself takes only a few minutes, and the entire process typically takes less than 30 minutes.
The Fibroscan test cost in Pune ranges from Rs. 2500 to 5000. At Kaizen Gastro Care Fibroscan test cost is Rs 3000.
There are no known risks or side effects associated with Fibroscan testing.
In some cases, a Fibroscan test can be used to replace a liver biopsy, as it is a non-invasive and painless alternative. However, in other cases, a liver biopsy may still be necessary to accurately diagnose and monitor liver disease. This decision should be made by a Kaizen specialist