It is very important to keep our liver healthy to lead a healthy life. Doctors suggest for a biopsy if a person feels abnormality related to liver. Fibro scan is another way to check liver condition. Fibroscan uses elastography, a technique similar to ultrasound that does not involve a needle, the risk of complication or pain.
The main function of fibroscan is to measure the stiffness of the liver. It is an noninvasive and painless alternative to liver biopsy to look for liver damage from conditions such as cirrhosis or hepatitis C. Fibroscan provides more information about your liver disease, which helps your health-care provider take necessary actions. This could be used alone or can be combined with other tests that also measure scarring or fatty change in your liver.

How it is conducted?

This procedure is performed by making you lie on your back with your right arm raised behind your head and your right abdominal area exposed. Water-based gel would be applied to your skin by a physician assistant. He would then place a non-invasive probe over the liver which would cause a slight vibration on the skin at the tip of the probe as it delivers ultrasound waves to measure the state of your liver.

How to prepare for Fibroscan:

Preparation includes no food or drinks 3 hours before the test and you may wish to wear a looser fitting shirt as the skin covering your right rib cage area will need to be exposed to complete the test.

Average cost of the test in Siliguri:

The average cost of fibroscan ranges anywhere from Rs. 2500 to Rs. 6000.

Is a prescription required to do this test:

Yes, undergoing a fibroscan requires a prescription.

Where can I do this test:

This test can be performed at a clinic or diagnostic lab.

Is this test painful?

Fibroscan is a non-invasive test. It is not painful and hence sedation is not required. It also takes only 5 to 7 minutes to be performed and is significantly less expensive compared to liver biopsy. The best part is that it has not been associated with any side effects.

Importance of the test:

The major causes of liver diseases are alcohol, obesity, and viral hepatitis. Diseases related to the liver are increasing rapidly hence it is necessary to detect abnormal liver function and the starting point for liver scarring which can ultimately lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Fibroscan is a quick and painless way of detecting liver diseases. It has replaced the liver biopsy which was a painful test. The benefit of fibroscan is that it is quick and painless, reduces the need for biopsy, provides you with accurate diagnosis, helps you monitor changes in the liver disease and is also considered to be risk-free.