FibroScan® in Little Rock, AR
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Find a ProviderWhat is FibroScan?
FibroScan is a method used by the gastrointestinal physicians at GastroArkansas to noninvasively check the liver. Also known as transient elastography, the scan utilizes specialized ultrasound technology to measure the state of fibrosis and steatosis present in the liver. Fibrosis occurs when the liver substitutes healthy tissue with scar tissue in an attempt to remedy itself from some other condition. Hepatic steatosis is also known as fatty liver disease and presents when fat accumulates inside the liver cells.
Using FibroScan, your Little Rock, AR gastrointestinal physicians can examine the state and working condition of your liver, and supply a diagnosis and medical plan without intrusively probing the body to review the liver. If you suffer from a liver ailment, arrange an appointment with GastroArkansas to learn if you could find value from FibroScan ultrasound technology.
Who is a good candidate for FibroScan testing?
FibroScan testing may be appropriate for patients who have initial to progressive liver illness or other situations. These might involve:
- Cirrhosis of the liver (severe scarring)
- PBC or Primary biliary cholangitis
- Other kinds of CLD (chronic liver disease)
- Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
- Particular types of hepatitis
- Hemochromatosis
- Alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Insulin resistance syndrome (syndrome X)
How is a FibroScan performed?
A FibroScan analysis in Little Rock, AR is generally a comfortable method that is finalized within 10 – 15 minutes. A detector will be placed on your skin right next to your liver. This distinctive sensor sends acoustic sound waves through your liver to measure the speed at which point sound moves through the organ. The FibroScan technology then creates a string of results that your GastroArkansas GI specialists will put to good use to establish the degree of stiffness (fibrosis) currently in your liver.
How do you read and interpret FibroScan results?
FibroScan results are provided based on steatosis grade and fibrosis score. The following charts incorporate generic reports regarding what the results of the examination might demonstrate. You may talk about your results in detail with your GastroArkansas gastrointestinal physicians after your FibroScan scan.
Steatosis grade: The fatty change result describes the level of fatty change in the liver and is delivered through a controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) score, which is measured in dB/m (decibels per meter). The range is from 100 to 400 dB/m, and diverse ranges contribute to different steatosis 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 end result is an estimation of the hardening of the liver and depicts the level of scarring that the liver has experienced. Your gastrointestinal specialists will use your FibroScan results integrated with your medical records to discern your fibrosis value. Different liver conditions and diseases can change the fibrosis score.
- F0 to F1: void of scarring/light scarring
- F2: medium scarring
- F3: extreme scarring
- F4: extremely progressive scarring (cirrhosis)
Specialized care for liver conditions
Because FibroScan utilizes ultrasound technology, there is very little, to no, danger linked with the treatment. FibroScan is a noninvasive ultrasound procedure and thus is, commonly, comfortable. It allows for a broad evaluation of the full liver rather than an examination of a minor part as occurs in a liver biopsy. Also, no sedation is required for the therapy, it is a relatively low price, quickly accomplished, and the results are immediate.
Expert care for liver conditions
As the second-largest organ in the body, your liver carries out duties vital for your health. Fibrosis and steatosis might affect your liver and your body in various ways and could lead to deadly conditions without apt care. for more information about FibroScan in Little Rock, AR or to connect with a liver doctor near you, please get in touch with your local GastroArkansas office today.
FibroScan® FAQs
How do I prep for a FibroScan test?
You will be instructed not to eat or drink anything before your FibroScan test. It is okay, however, to still take your daily medications as normal. Our GI doctors advise you to wear loose-fitting clothes so it’s easier for us to access the right side of your ribcage. Your GI doctor will review specifics with you before the procedure so you know and understand what to expect before, during, and after your FibroScan test.
What liver conditions will FibroScan monitor?
A FibroScan procedure can find and track the evolvement of a number of liver conditions, including:
- NAFLD (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease)
- Alcoholic liver disease
- NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis)
- Hepatitis B or C
- Hemochromatosis
Is there a difference between FibroScan and an ultrasound?
The FibroScan process is a kind of ultrasound that uses the exact same technology a standard ultrasound uses (called transient elastography). Although they are alike, FibroScan was actually developed to assess how stiff the liver is and, therefore, is perceptibly more keen on noting issues in the liver than a standard ultrasound.
Is FibroScan better than a liver biopsy?
The FibroScan is a nonsurgical and minimally invasive alternative to a biopsy of the liver. Even so, there can be certain instances when a liver biopsy might be ideal. This may include circumstances in which a person has a a defibrillator or pacemaker, is pregnant, or has fluid in their abdomen. Results might become skewed in individuals who are morbidly obese. Therefore, our GastroArkansas providers will closely work alongside you to help determine if a FibroScan exam or a traditional liver biopsy is right for you.
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