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What is FibroScan?
FibroScan is a technology used by doctors to non-invasively examine your liver. The scan utilizes a specialized ultrasound machine to measure the state of fibrosis and steatosis in your liver. Fibrosis is when the liver replaces healthy tissue with scar tissue in an attempt to heal itself from some other condition. Steatosis is also known as fatty change, and is when fat builds up in the liver cells.
Using FibroScan, your doctor will be able to assess the state of your liver and provide a diagnosis and treatment plan without invasively entering the body to examine the liver.
How do you Read and Interpret FibroScan Results?
You should discuss your results in detail with your doctor following your FibroScan test.
Steatosis grade:
Steatosis is measured using a CAP score which is measured in decibels per meter (dB/m). The range is from 100 to 400 dB/m, and different ranges result in a different steatosis grade.
| CAP Score (dB/m) | Steatosis Grade | Amount of Liver with Fatty Change |
| 238 – 260 | S1 | 11% – 33% |
| 260 – 290 | S2 | 34% – 66% |
| 290 + | S3 | 67% + |
Fibrosis score:
Fibrosis result is a measurement of the stiffness of your liver which represents the level of scarring that the liver has experienced. Your medical provider will use your FibroScan result combined with your medical history to determine your fibrosis score. Different liver diseases and conditions can affect the fibrosis score.
- F0 to F1: No scarring/mild scarring
- F2: Moderate scarring
- F3: Severe scarring
- F4: Advanced scarring (cirrhosis)
Is FibroScan Safe?
Because FibroScan utilizes ultrasound imaging technology, there is very little to no risk associated with the procedure.
What are the Advantages of FibroScan?
FibroScan is a non-invasive imaging technique and therefore involves no pain, and allows for a broader examination of the entire liver rather than examination of only a small portion that occurs in a liver biopsy.
Additionally, no sedation is necessary for the procedure, it is relatively inexpensive, quickly accomplished, and the results are instantaneous.