What is liver fibrosis?
Liver fibrosis is the formation of scars in liver resulted by repeatedly or continuously damage of liver. Fibrosis itself causes no symptoms, but severe scarring can result in cirrhosis, liver failure, and even liver cancer, which can cause symptoms. Early detection can provide early treatment for preventing disease progression of liver cirrhosis and its complications.
What is FibroScan®?
FibroScan® is non-invasive medical device specialised for instant quantification of liver fibrosis and fatty liver. With a patented technology known as Vibration-Controlled Transient Elastography (VCTE), the ultrasound emitted by the FibroScan® probe is capable of providing reliable, accurate and reproducible assessment of liver tissue stiffness and liver steatosis. With the Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP), FibroScan® is also capable for the detection of fatty liver.
Difference between FibroScan® and Liver Biopsy?
Although liver biopsy remains the gold standard for evaluating liver fibrosis, liver biopsy is an invasive procedure that
has the potential to cause bleeding and other undesirable complications. Also due to the limited sample size, errors
may occur. In contrast, FibroScan® is non-invasive and can be used for repeated monitoring in those patients with chronic liver disease.
For healthy individuals with no known liver disease in general, FibroScan® can provide a safer and more accurate liver examination alternative to liver biopsy.
Who needs a FibroScan®?
A large local study for diabetic patients in Hong Kong reported that 47% of fatty liver and 33% of severe liver fibrosis showed normal result in liver function test. This reflects the limited use of routine blood testing in accessing health status of liver. FibroScan® offers a non-invasive mean for the measurement of liver tissue stiffness and liver steatosis. The following groups of patient with higher chance of having liver related disorder such as liver cirrhosis or liver cancer are suggested to have liver check-up regularly:
How is a FibroScan® done?
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