|
 A
new fibroScan machine that uses tha latest technolgoy fo diagnosing liver damage
is now available. It uses ultrasound elastography to measure hepatic stiffness.
Expert Consultants use the innovative computerized system to give patients an
immediate, non-invasive and painless quantitative measurement in kilopascals (kpa)
of the health of the liver without the need for an overnight stay in the
hospital and other negative features usually related to liver biopsy.
FibroScan is used to evaluate the extent of liver damage in patients suffering
from chronic liver disease, irrespective of the underlying cause, viral
hepatitis, alchoholic liver diseases, autoimmune hepatitis, diabetes mellitus
(NASH), drugss, biliary disease, haemochromatosis, steatohepatitis and steatosis.
FibroScan is a great asset in the fight against liver disease with 100%
acceptability by patients especially for those refusing liver biopsy or when it
is contraindicated. Diagnosing liver disease and damage as early as possible is
paramount in giving patients the best chances of recovery and, in many cases,
the stimulus to change their lifestyle to improve liver health. Assessing the
extent of liver disease is important when considering treatment, response to
therapy and decisions related to progression of fibrosis such as screening for
hepatocellular carcinoma and varices.
With the FibroScan, we can generate an instant liver stiffness reading to
accurately assess damage caused by liver disesse. A proble is held against the
right lobe of the liver via intercostal route. Vibrations from the probe create
elastic waves through the liver and their spread is the tracked by untrasound.
The speed of propagation of the waves is directly correlated to the stiffness of
the liver tissue (the faster the wave spread the stiffer the tissue). Ten valid
measurements are calculated by an algorithm in the FibroScan's computer system.
It is a completely painless procedure that can be done in just 20-30 minutes and
that can be repeated as often as in necessary, and without preparation, to
monitor the progression of the disease with or without treatment. |
