FibroScan® in Northwest Arkansas
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Find a ProviderWhat is FibroScan?
FibroScan is an ultrasound technology the gastrointestinal physicians at GI Alliance of Arkansas use to evaluate issues of the liver without the need for invasive surgery. Also referred to as transient elastography, the technology utilizes a specialized ultrasound device to check for the occurrence of fibrosis and steatosis in the liver. Fibrosis takes place when the liver replaces healthy tissue with cicatrix (scar) tissue to recover itself from a separate condition. Hepatic steatosis is also known as fatty change and arises when fat accumulates inside the liver cells.
Using FibroScan, your Arkansas gastrointestinal specialists have the ability to analyze the condition and working condition of your liver, allowing them to provide a diagnosis and treatment plan without invasively probing the body to review the liver. If you suffer with a liver disorder, request a consultation through GI Alliance of Arkansas to learn if you might benefit from FibroScan ultrasound technology.
Who is a candidate for FibroScan testing?
FibroScan analysis could be effective for individuals who have early to advanced liver disease or other ailments, including (but not limited to):
- Hemochromatosis
- Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
- Alcoholic FLD
- Cirrhosis of the liver (excessive scarring)
- different kinds of CLD (chronic liver disease)
- Metabolic syndrome
- Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC)
- Certain types of hepatitis
How is FibroScan performed?
Generally speaking, a FibroScan exam in Arkansas can be completed within 10 – 15 minutes in a comfortable setting. A sensor will be attached to your skin right next to your liver. This unique detector sends sound waves across your liver to figure out the rate where sound crosses through the organ. The FibroScan system then yields a set of results that your GI Alliance of Arkansas GI doctors will use to establish the rate of scarring (fibrosis) present in the liver.
How do you read and translate FibroScan results?
FibroScan results are shown with a grade measuring the presence of fatty liver disease (steatosis) and a fibrosis score. The following charts depict an example of what the results of your scan might look like. You may review the specific details of your results with your GI Alliance of Arkansas gastroenterologist after your FibroScan test.
Steatosis grade of severity: The fatty change finding describes the level of steatosis in the liver and is provided by means of a controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) score, which is evaluated in dB/m (decibels per meter). The range is from 100 – 400 decibels per meter, and different ranges result in various fatty liver 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 symbolizes the extent of scarring that the liver has experienced. Your gastrointestinal specialists will utilize your FibroScan result integrated with your medical records to determine your fibrosis score. different liver conditions and diseases can impact the fibrosis score.
- F0 to F1: void of scarring/light scarring
- F2: Moderate scarring
- F3: Severe scarring
- F4: Advanced scarring (cirrhosis)
What are the advantages of FibroScan?
As FibroScan uses noninvasive ultrasound technology, the risks associated with it are minimal. This advanced device grants a wider analysis of the whole liver rather than the comparatively smaller view your doctor would get from a liver biopsy. On top of that, no sedation is needed for the therapy, it is relatively inexpensive, briskly accomplished, and the results come back swiftly.
Expert care for liver conditions
The liver is the second-biggest organ in the body, and the tasks it performs are essential for your health. Fibrosis and steatosis might affect your liver and your body in different ways and might lead to fatal conditions without adequate care. For more information about FibroScan in Arkansas or to schedule an appointment with a liver specialist near you, please contact your local GI Alliance of Arkansas office today.
FibroScan® FAQs
Will I need to prepare for the FibroScan exam?
We ask that you do not eat or drink anything leading up to your FibroScan test. It is okay, however, to take your medications as prescribed. Additionally, we suggest you dress in looser clothes to make it easier for our providers to access the right side of your ribcage. Our staff will review these instructions with you before your exam to ensure you understand what to expect from the FibroScan process.
What liver conditions will FibroScan diagnose?
The FibroScan can find and monitor the growth of several liver diseases, including:
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Alcoholic liver disease
- NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis)
- Hepatitis B or C
- Hemochromatosis
Is there a difference between an ultrasound and the FibroScan?
FibroScan is a form of ultrasound and uses the same technology as a typical ultrasound, called transient elastography. While the two are very similar, FibroScan was actually developed to detect liver stiffness and is, therefore, perceptibly more keen on finding issues in the liver than a normal ultrasound.
Is FibroScan better than a liver biopsy?
FibroScan is a common nonsurgical alternative to the liver biopsy. Even so, there are sometimes circumstances when a biopsy of the liver would be favored. This includes situations when a person has a defibrillator or pacemaker, is pregnant, or has fluid in the abdomen. It has also been determined that results may become inaccurate in patients who are considered morbidly obese. Therefore, our GI Alliance of Arkansas providers will work closely with you to decide if this test or a liver biopsy is better for your needs.
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