Fibroscan is a medical device used to assess the health of the liver. This device provides information about the condition of liver tissue by measuring the elasticity (softness or hardness) of the liver. It is used to diagnose and monitor liver fibrosis, fatty liver and other liver diseases.
It offers a less invasive (non-surgical) approach compared to traditional liver biopsy methods. The results are obtained through a procedure performed on the surface of the skin, resulting in less discomfort and risk for patients.
How is Fibroscan Performed?
The application steps of Fibroscan, which is widely used especially in the evaluation of liver fibrosis, are as follows:
- Before the application, it is generally recommended that the patient comes on an empty stomach, especially to clean the liver area.
- The person to be treated is informed about the procedure and approval is obtained.
- The area to be treated, usually the upper part of the abdomen, is covered with a special gel. This gel is used to transmit and receive sound waves.
- A health professional or doctor places the Fibroscan device on the patient's skin.
- The device measures the hardness of the liver using ultrasound waves. These waves propagate through the liver tissue, providing measurements of tissue stiffness.
- The patient should not feel any pain or discomfort during the procedure.
- The device quickly measures the degree of stiffness of the liver and the results are displayed on a computer screen or as a printout from a printer.
- The results obtained are used to determine the level of liver fibrosis. These results are usually expressed in units of "kilopascals" (kPa).
Interpretation of the results and treatment decisions should be made under the supervision of a health professional. If you are concerned about liver diseases or other health problems, it is important to consult a doctor.
Which diseases is Fibroscan used for?
Fibroscan can be used to diagnose and monitor the following diseases:
Chronic Hepatitis: Chronic hepatitis, such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C, can cause damage to the liver. Fibroscan can be used to monitor the progression of these diseases.
Alcoholic Liver Disease: Excessive alcohol consumption can cause damage to the liver. Fibroscan can be used to monitor the progression of alcoholic liver disease.
Autoimmune Liver Disease: Autoimmune liver diseases cause the body to attack its own liver cells. Fibroscan can be used to monitor the progression of these diseases.
Other Chronic Liver Diseases: Other chronic liver diseases such as Wilson's disease, hemochromatosis and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency can also cause damage to the liver. Fibroscan can be used to monitor the progression of these diseases.
What are the Benefits of Fibroscan?
The benefits of Fibroscan, which is widely used in the diagnosis and monitoring of liver damage, can be listed as follows:
Fast and Painless: It is used to quickly assess the condition of the liver and the procedure is painless. It causes much less discomfort compared to traditional biopsies.
Safe and Non-Invasive: It does not require a surgical procedure and is safe as it does not carry the risk of infection. Therefore, it carries minimal risk for the patient.
Early Diagnosis of Liver Damage: It is used for early diagnosis of serious liver diseases such as liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. Early diagnosis increases the chances of starting appropriate treatment and preventing disease progression.
Treatment Monitoring: Used to monitor the treatment progress of liver patients. It is a repeatable measurement tool to assess the effectiveness of treatment.
Patient Satisfaction: It is a patient-friendly method because it causes less discomfort and offers faster results compared to biopsies.
What Should Be Considered Before Fibroscan Application?
There are some important points to be considered before Fibroscan application. These precautions are taken to ensure that the test results are accurate and reliable. Here are the main points to be considered before Fibroscan application:
Medication Use: Your doctor or health professional will instruct you on which medications should be used or stopped before the Fibroscan. You should be especially careful with blood thinners or medications that affect the liver.
Fasting and Fasting Status: Prior to Fibroscan, you may be instructed whether the test should be performed on an empty or full stomach. This can help to take into account factors such as fatty liver disease that may affect the test results.
Alcohol Consumption: Alcoholic drinks should be avoided before the day of the test. Alcohol can temporarily increase liver stiffness and affect test results.
Food and Drink Consumption: Care should be taken not to eat too fatty or heavy foods before the test. In addition, substances such as caffeinated drinks (coffee, tea, energy drinks) and nicotine should be avoided, as these can affect liver function.
Comfortable Clothing: It is important to wear comfortable clothing during the test. Having a free belly area in particular can help the device to perform the test more easily.
