The liver cases are spiraling with each passing day. Owing to the changed lifestyle of adults, disturbing eating habits, and lack of schedule, the prevalence of liver cases is increasing.
One of the major reasons for damaging the liver is increased alcohol consumption. The NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence and Care) states that men and women who drink alcohol regularly should be offered a FibroScan liver test.
According to the ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research), almost 32% of the Indian population is suffering from liver problems, and liver fibrosis & Cirrhosis accounts for almost 200,000 deaths in India every year.
Cirrhosis intensifies in patients suffering from NAFLD (Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease) without having any symptoms and with essentially normal liver function tests. Thus, early diagnosis of these diseases is difficult and is missed in early detection.
Due to the lack of early detection and diagnosis, about 50% of patients suffering from liver diseases die one to one and a half years after diagnosis. Therefore, early diagnosis of the liver is of utmost importance to prevent disease progression and for a good prognosis.
And Fibroscan can help us do that!
FibroScan liver test is a non-invasive, FDA-approved diagnostic device that measures the amount of liver fibrosis or scarring that is the aftermath of various liver diseases.
The process of the FibroScan testing is quick, painless, easy, and does not require any cuts or stitches. It is similar to the conventional liver ultrasound scan and is a better alternative to diagnostic liver biopsy used to determine liver damage.
FibroScan of the liver, compared to the LFT (Liver Function Test), which does not rule out liver health, is highly recommended. In addition to analyzing liver health, the FibroScan also identifies the amount of fat in the liver. It is not only cheaper but is also accurate in monitoring the progression and regression of the disease, thereby allowing the treatment to be tailored to individual needs.
However, its use for follow-up is yet to be evaluated in patients with chronic liver disease.
There are a few cases that can be evaluated through the FibroScan.
FibroScan liver test can help diagnose or monitor the disease’s progress rate that affects the liver. The test can help identify a majority of liver problems, such as,
Hemochromatosis
A disorder in which extra iron builds up in the body, including the liver, to harmful levels and can become toxic for the body to damage the liver and other fatal complications.
Alcoholic liver disease
Caused by consuming more alcohol than your liver can process, it is also known as alcoholic hepatitis, which leads to inflammation that leads to Cirrhosis, leading to liver failure.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
NAFLD causes excessive amounts of fat storage in liver cells, putting you at risk of liver damage.
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH): The aggressive form of NAFLD causes liver damage combined with Cirrhosis, leading to liver failure.
Viral infection: Hepatitis B (HBV) and C virus can cause liver inflammation and increases the risk of developing Cirrhosis or liver cancer. If ignored, it can also lead to liver failure.
The FibroScan test can also monitor liver health for patients following liver transplantation.
Delay in liver treatment and diagnosis can lead to severe life-threatening issues. Leaving a fatty liver undiagnosed and untreated can lead to Cirrhosis and be life-threatening.
FibroScan is a boon for liver health and diagnosis. It can easily check, monitor, and define the prognosis of fatty liver disease. The Liver FibroScan test is a quick, painless, and non-surgical solution that quickly assesses your liver’s condition and helps the doctor plan the treatment accordingly.
The liver treatment expert, Dr. Vij, can help diagnose your liver condition properly. Get in touch with doctors at AILBS about FibroScan today and get timely treatment for your liver condition before it’s too late.
Q 1. How long does the FibroScan of the Liver take?
Ans: A typical FibroScan examination takes only 5-10 minutes
Q 2. Is FibroScan painful?
Ans: No! FibroScans are painless; therefore, the patients require no sedation. The scan point is the right rib cage. You may feel slight vibrations on the skin as the device sends energy pulses to your liver.
Q 3. Is Liver FibroScan similar to ultrasound?
Ans: It is almost similar in the procedure and feels. However, the only point of difference is transient elastography that FibroScan uses, and an ultrasound-based modality that ultrasound uses.
Q 4. How do I prepare for my FibroScan Test Liver?
Ans: There are no special requirements for the FibroScan preparation. The doctor will ask you to fast and only take clear fluids for at least 3 hours before the liver fibrosis test. Wear comfortable clothes that can be moved to allow the nurse to scan the area of your upper abdomen.
