Team LivGastro provides utility based model of care that integrates specialists, primary care , laboratory, imaging and other health services to give patients a convenient and superior outcome along with a pleasant experience. Since we primarily focus on outdoor-patient care, on the site instant testing along with detailed and accurate results, we enable our patients and their families save
a lot of effort, time and money.
Fibro Scan , more popularly known as Transient Elastography is a non-invasive test to detect Liver Fibrosis. It simultaneously detects “Steatosis” using the “CAP – Controlled Attenuation Parameter”.
The Echosens ( Fibroscan device) functions by measuring shear wave velocity. This is carried out by a 50- Mhz wave that is passed into the liver through a small transducer placed at the end of an ultrasound probe. The probe also has a at the end which can measure the velocity of the Shear wave(in mts/sec) as and how it moves through the liver. The velocity of this Shear wave can then be converted into liver stiffness, that is ideally expressed in Kilopascals. This complex process is usually referred to as “Liver Ultrasonographic Elastography”.
The entire examination requires for the operator to obtain at least 10 measurements of stiffness from the patient putting a probe between the ribs and pressing the same. Of all the results obtained, the average number is recorded and then compared with the values provided on the FibroScan Scoring card. The results usually range from 1.5 kPa to 75 kPa . Usually healthy people without liver disease will have a result of less than 7 kPa.
Since long, Liver Biopsy has been the most practiced method to detect fibrosis in the liver . It’s usually deployed to evaluate patients who have been detected to be contracted with Viral hepatitis ( Especially those with Hepatitis B Virus,HBV or Hepatitis Virus C , HVC) to detect the disease and and to determine whether treatment has to be meted out or not. The biggest disadvantage of Biopsy is that it is an “Invasive Test”, requires the patient to be hospitalized for at least half a day and is quiet expensive. Other risks such as bleeding and Pain also can’t be ignored.
Furthermore, in Liver Biopsy, different pathologists can interpret the same sample differently leading to discrepancies in in liver disease staging. Owing to these limitations, several patients avoid going for such invasive tests and hence the comparatively simpler, convenient and non invasive method “ Fibroscan” is fast becoming the most practiced method for testing Liver fibrosis. It has been hailed by both Researchers and Medical professionals worldwide.
