FibroScan® is a specialised machine that uses ultrasound to determine scarring (fibrosis) and fatty change (steatosis) of the liver. The machine uses a technique called transient elastography which functions by creating vibrations on the skin overlying the liver and measuring their velocity. Due to a difference in hardness of normal and fibrous hepatic tissue, the vibrational velocity can be used to estimate hepatic fibrosis.
This procedure is not subsided under medicare.
There are two main readings given in your FibroScan® results; CAP and E (Elastography). Both CAP and E are measured simultaneously and using the same volume of liver tissue. Additionally, they are quantative measurments which are non-invasive, reproducable and safe to obtain.
CAP measures steatosis or fatty change of the liver. It is measured in dB/m and provides information regarding the fat build-up in liver cells. CAP ranges from 150 to 400 dB/m and is categorised into incremental steatosis grades S0, S1, S2 and S3. The higher the steatosis grade, the larger the amount of liver with fatty change. E or
LSM (Liver Stiffness Measurement) measures liver fibrosis or stiffness. It is measured in kPa and is indicative of scar tissue present in the liver. E ranges from 1 to 75 kPa and is categorised into the different fibrosis scores F0, F1, F2, F3 and F4. Each fibrosis score is assigned a range in kPa which is indicative of increasing scarring levels. More information regarding your FibroScan® results will be supplied to you with your results.
The FibroScan® results aid health care professionals in further understanding the extent of liver disease. Hence, for a full interpretation and analysis of your results, see your specialist.