Fibroscan to diagnose liver disorders

Fibroscan, a new device to assesses liver fibrosis non-invasively unlike liver biopsy that is invasive and painful. Diagnosing fibrosis in patients with chronic Hepatitis it has shown to be accurate without any need of biopsy.

Dr Ajay Kumar, Sr Consultant Gastroenterology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals said, “Fibroscan is a newer investigation device which gives us an idea of the extent of damage to the liver. In patients with metabolic disorder like fatty liver and alcoholic liver disease, it serves as next best to biopsy as it is completely safe and non invasive.”

Dr S L Broor, Sr Consultant Gastroenterology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, elaborated on the technique, “Fibroscan uses an ultrasound scan to create waves and measure the stiffness of the liver, indicating the extent of liver fibrosis. Although this scan is less sensitive in detecting mild or moderate liver fibrosis, it is very sensitive at ascertaining severe degree of damage. Patients having chronic liver disease in which liver biopsy cannot be done for fear of bleeding risk, Fibroscan is very useful to assess the liver damage and plan treatment.”