Afro-Egypt J Infect Endem Dis 2011 Dec ;1(2):A10

 

Fibroscan as a Tool in Diagnosis of Liver Fibrosis and Cirrhosis

 

El-Shamy M

 

Zagazig University, Egypt

 

                              

 

ABSTRACT

The gold standard for diagnosis of liver fibrosis is liver biopsy , but it is an invasive technique needing relatively large size of liver tissue. An alternative to liver biopsy is the non-invasive elastography which depends on measuring the speed (velocity) of propagation of shear waves ( vibration) through the liver tissues and it depends on the density of tissues. Fibroscan is a non – invasive , painless , outpatient , operator independent procedure .It has limitations in obese patients with thick chest wall ( use XL probe), in children with thin chest wall (use S probe)and in patients with narrow intercostal spaces. The normal elastography is 5.5± 1.6 kilopascals (kpa). Fibroscan is useful in chronic HCV , HBV ,alcoholic liver diseases , NASH, NAFLD and cirrhosis. Elastography according to meta-analysis study of 17 kpa is associated with cirrhosis , of 49 kpa with ascites, of 54 kpa with HCC and of 63 kpa with bleeding varices .