You are referred to undergo a Fibroscan of the liver. Using Fibroscan, the elasticity of the liver is measured, to evaluate the amount of scar tissue (or fibrosis) in the liver. All patients with a (chronic) liver disease may develop liver fibrosis. If the amount of liver fibrosis is known, your treating physician may be better able to advise you on the treatment you need. The Fibroscan is a non-invasive and safe ultrasound-based examination without any health risks.
How to prepare?
For an optimal result of the Fibroscan, we advise you to not eat or drink up to 4 hours before the Fibroscan, except for clear fluids such as water or tea (without milk).
How does the examination work?
The nurse or doctor will ask you to uncover your upper body and lay down on the examination bench. He or she will then determine where to place the ultrasound probe by locating the liver in the right upper abdomen. The ultrasound probe is then placed on the skin of the abdomen and sends out sound waves into the liver. This is done multiple times, to ensure a reliable test result. You may perceive these sound waves as little taps, which are painless. The sound waves that are sent out into the liver are transferred into moving images which you can see on the screen. The Fibroscan measures the speed of the returning sound waves as a measure of elasticity of the liver.
What is the duration of the examination?
The examination takes around 15 minutes. You may leave the hospital directly after the examination.
When to expect the result?
Your referring physician will receive the result of the Fibroscan. He or she will discuss this result with you.
Questions?
If you have any questions after reading this information, please contact the outpatient clinic of the department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology of Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc. The outpatient clinic is reachable by phone from Monday till Friday, 8:00-16:30, at 020-444 1125.