FibroScan Liver Assessment
FibroScan® Mini+ 430
FibroScan® Compact 530
A FibroScan® test is a non-invasive examination of liver health, and provides a painless, fast (10-15 minutes),and reliable alternative to liver biopsy. The test measures liver health by measuring (1) liver fibrosis or scar tissue in the liver, and (2)measuring the amount of fat in the liver using the Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP) assessment. Liver Wellness is the first clinic in the private sector to offer the test to patients with the Fibroscan® 530 and 430 devices.
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Frequently Asked Questions
FibroScan® uses shear wave technology to measure the elasticity of the liver using a technique called Vibration-Controlled Transient Elastography (VCTE™). As the shear wave is propagated through the liver, the speed at which it travels is affected by the amount of scar tissue (fibrosis), and this is calibrated to give a liver stiffness value. Results are presented as a number in kilopascals (kPa). The higher the figure, the stiffer and more scarred the liver has become. In general, FibroScan®results above 12.0 kPa raise concern that the liver has developed advanced fibrosis and is on a path to develop cirrhosis. Results from FibroScan® should not be confused with fibrosis scores measured on other scoring systems such as liver biopsies.
Liver fibrosis is a condition of scarring and stiffness of the liver and is caused by a variety of inflammatory and metabolic conditions. Liver fibrosis does not develop or progress at the same rate in everyone and some people are “fast fibrosers” meaning that cirrhosis may develop over 8-12 years while others are “slow fibrosers” meaning that it takes longer for cirrhosis to develop e.g. 20-30 years.
The most serious stage of fibrosis or scarring is cirrhosis, which means irreversible scarring of the liver. Causes of cirrhosis include chronic viral hepatitis B and C infections, alcohol excess, genetic iron overload (haemochromatosis), metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), and chronic exposure to some medications and toxins. Patients with cirrhosis are often well without any symptoms or signs of disease (compensated cirrhosis), but over time, the liver may begin to fail, developing signs of liver failure such as intermittent confusion, swelling of the abdomen with fluid (ascites) – this is called decompensated cirrhosis. Patients with liver failure may need a liver transplant. Patients with cirrhosis also have a risk of developing liver cancer known as hepatocellular carcinoma.
Blood tests and clinical examination cannot reliably diagnose liver cirrhosis, and traditionally the only method to assess for liver scarring was a liver biopsy, which is invasive and can be associated with complications. Additionally, a liver biopsy requires hospital admission and several hours of bed rest after the biopsy. However, early detection of liver fibrosis is important as it allows both the patient and the doctor an opportunity to plan treatment and intervene before cirrhosis (irreversible liver scarring) has developed.
Using the Fibroscan® device, Liver Wellness™ can routinely provide this test to all patients who have chronic conditions of the liver, and can be repeated regularly (e.g. every 6-12 months) without any health risks. This provides very important information to both the patient and the doctor in monitoring the progression of a particular liver disease. For those patients who previously underwent treatment and want to determine that the liver is returning to a healthy state, Fibroscan® examination can provide information on how successful the treatment was.
- You will lie down on your back and with your right arm raised behind your head.
- The liver nurse will apply a small amount of gel to the right side of your abdomen and place the probe with slight pressure against your skin.
- Ten consecutive measurements will be made at the same location. The device will measure the state of the liver globally, as opposed to a biopsy, where only a very small sample is measured.
- The test takes about 10 minutes, and the result is delivered immediately at the end. It will be a number between 1.5 and 75 kPa.
- The doctor will evaluate and interpret the results and your report with recommendations will be completed within 72 hours and sent to you, your referring specialist and/or GP.
A FibroScan assessment costs €250.
This includes the examination, performed by a specialist nurse, review of the results and reporting of the results with recommendations to the patient and the relevant health care practitioner by Professor Suzanne Norris, consultant hepatologist.
A FibroScan® is recommended for patients with:
- abnormal liver blood tests
- risk factors for chronic liver disease
- staging of liver disease in patients with hepatitis C infection
- staging of liver disease in patients with hepatitis B infection
- staging of liver disease in patients with AIH and PBC
- patients with a diagnosis of fatty liver
- family history of liver disease
- patients who are worried they drink too much alcohol
- patients who have type 2 diabetes
- patients with one or more metabolic risk factors, such as high BMI or high cholesterol
- anual assesment of liver staging in patients with known cirrhosis
Whether you have booked your appontment online, by phone or email, as soon as your appointment is scheduled you will receive a confirmation email with the details for your appointment and any additional important information you need to know, such as where to go and what to do.
We ask all patients to complete an online patient information form ahead of time if possible, the link of which will be included in your confirmation email. For patients who find this difficult, there is the option to complete the form on the day in the clinic.
You will receive a reminder email and text message a few days ahead of your appointment, again with all the important information about the appointment. You will also have the opportunity to complete your payment online if you have not booked online. A payment link will be included in the email.
The day before your appointment, you will receive a final reminder email and text message where we ask that you confirm your attendance by submitting a very short online form, just so we know you are coming and we can prepare for your arrival.
On your arrival, you will be asked to confirm your details and if you have not already completed your patient information form online, asked to complete it electronically on a tablet device provided for you.
In the consultation room, the liver nurse will complete a brief medical questionnaire to gather some background information regarding your medical history, diet and lifestyle. This is neccesary to provide context for the doctor when your report is prepared.
The liver nurse will complete the assessment using the FibroScan device. Although the result is known immediately to the nurse, they will first be sent to the consultant liver specialist who will interpret the results in conjunction with your referral and/or medical history. A report with the interpretation and recommendation will be sent to you and your medical practitioner within 3 working days.
The nurse will be happy to answer any questions you may have immediately following your scan.
You do not need a referral. You can make an appointment directly with us over the phone, via email or book and pay securely on the website here.
There is no need for an overnight fast but do not eat or drink anything other than water for 4 hours before the test.
This is a painless examination. All you will feel is a gentle buzzing sensation on your skin, similar to the sensation of your mobile phone on silent mode vibrating in your pocket.
The FibroScan® examination will be performed by expert medical nursing staff who have been trained and certified to perform FibroScan® examination.
Although the results are known immediately after the test, they are first analysed by the Liver Wellness consultant before the report is issued to the patient and the patient’s chosen health care professional (by email or post) within 3 working days following the FibroScan appointment.
No. An ultrasound examination is different from a FibroScan® examination because an ultrasound scan of the liver examines the liver structure (architecture), bile ducts, blood vessels going into and out from the liver, and also looks at other body organs near the liver such as the gallbladder.
The FibroScan® examination measures liver elasticity (known as elastography) as a measure of liver fibrosis – an ultrasound cannot measure fibrosis. An FibroScan® examination can tell how much liver fibrosis is present and can confirm or rule out if the liver has developed cirrhosis.
Yes, a FibroScan test can be done if you are pregnant.
Yes, it is safe for you to have a FibroScan test even if you have a pacemaker or another implantable device.
Tests performed by EchoSens (the manufacturers of the FibroScan machine) have now been done and have confirmed that there is no interference between the FibroScan examination probes and implantable devices.