FibroScan® in Texas
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Find a ProviderWhat is FibroScan?
FibroScan® is an ultrasound technology utilized by the gastrointestinal specialists at Texas Digestive Disease Consultants to noninvasively investigate the liver. Also known as transient elastography, FibroScan uses a particular ultrasound technology to measure the occurrence of fibrosis and steatosis inside the liver. Fibrosis happens when the liver exchanges healthy tissue with cicatrix (scar) tissue to heal itself from another source of damage. Hepatic steatosis is also referred to as fatty liver disease and arises when fat collects inside the liver cells.
Using FibroScan, your Texas gastrointestinal physicians will be able to evaluate the condition and working condition of your liver and provide a diagnosis and treatment plan without invasively entering the body to examine the liver. If you suffer from a liver issue, request a consultation at Texas Digestive Disease Consultants to learn if you might benefit from FibroScan ultrasound technology.
Who is a good candidate for FibroScan?
FibroScan testing may be favored for clients who have early or progressive liver disease or other ailments. These could include:
- Particular types of hepatitis
- Hemochromatosis
- Insulin resistance syndrome (syndrome X)
- Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
- PBC (primary biliary cholangitis)
- Cirrhosis of the liver (extreme scarring)
- Alcoholic FLD
- Other kinds of chronic liver disease
How is FibroScan performed?
A FibroScan analysis in Texas is typically a comfortable technique that can be done within 10 – 15 minutes. A detection device will be put on your skin on top of where your liver sits. This unique sensor emits sound waves through the liver to measure the rate at which sound passes through the organ. The FibroScan technology then develops an array of results that your Texas Digestive Disease Consultants GI provider will study to evaluate the degree of scarring (fibrosis) existing in your liver.
How do you understand and explain FibroScan results?
FibroScan findings are provided in accordance with steatosis (fatty liver disease) severity and fibrosis score. The table below shows some of the information you can expect to see when your results come in. You may discuss your findings in detail with your Texas Digestive Disease Consultants provider after your FibroScan test.
Steatosis grade assesses the level of steatosis (fatty change) and is measured by means of a CAP score (controlled attenuation parameter), which is measured in decibels per meter (dB/m). The scope is from 100 to 400 dB/m, and various ranges result in various steatosis grades.
| CAP Score (dB/m) | Steatosis Grade | Amount of Liver With Fatty Change |
| 238 – 260 | S1 | 11% – 33% |
| 260 – 290 | S2 | 34% – 66% |
| 290 + | S3 | 67% + |
Fibrosis score: The fibrosis result is an estimation of the hardness of the liver and demonstrates the extent of scarring that the liver has experienced. Your gastrointestinal specialists in Texas will use your FibroScan findings along with your medical history to ascertain your fibrosis value. Various liver conditions and diseases can affect the fibrosis score.
- F0 to F1: No scarring/light scarring
- F2: Moderate scarring
- F3: Extreme scarring
- F4: Advanced scarring (cirrhosis)
What are the benefits of FibroScan?
Because FibroScan uses ultrasound technology, there is not much risk linked with the procedure. FibroScan is a noninvasive imaging method and should not produce any discomfort. It enables a broader inspection of the entire liver rather than the smaller assessment that takes place in a liver biopsy. Furthermore, no sedation is required for the therapy, it is relatively low-cost, rapidly accomplished, and the outcomes are instant.
Find better health with FibroScan
As the second-largest organ in the body, your liver carries out tasks that are crucial for your health. Fibrosis and steatosis could impact your liver and your body in a number of ways and may lead to life-threatening diseases without the proper preventative measures. To learn more about FibroScan in Texas or to connect with a hepatologist close to you, please request a consultation at a Texas Digestive Disease Consultants location near you today.
FibroScan® FAQs
How should I prepare for a FibroScan exam?
You will be instructed not to drink or eat anything except small sips of water before your FibroScan procedure. It is okay to continue to take your medications as normal. Our GI specialists advise you to wear loose-fitting clothes so it’s easier for us to reach the right side of your ribcage. Our staff will review the preparation details with you prior to the visit to ensure you understand what you should expect before, during, and after FibroScan testing.
What liver diseases can FibroScan detect?
A FibroScan exam can discover and follow the growth of various liver conditions. A few conditions this cutting-edge exam can asses include:
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Alcoholic liver disease
- Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
- Hepatitis B or C
- Hemochromatosis
Is there a difference between an ultrasound and Fibroscan?
FibroScan is actually a form of ultrasound that uses the exact same technology a normal ultrasound is known to use, called transient elastography. Although they are alike, FibroScan was invented to evaluate the stiffness of the liver and, therefore, is more sensitive to picking up issues within the liver than a standard ultrasound.
Is FibroScan better than a liver biopsy?
FibroScan is a common nonsurgical alternative to a liver biopsy. However, there may be certain instances when a biopsy of the liver might be ideal. This includes cases where an indvidual has a pacemaker or defibrillator, is pregnant, or has fluid in their abdomen. Results may become distorted in patients who are considered morbidly obese. For these reasons, our Texas Digestive Disease Consultants GI specialists will work with you to decide if FibroScan or a traditional liver biopsy is right for you.
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