Liver disorders often don't show obvious symptoms in the early stages. Transient elastography is a non-invasive test that can help doctors assess liver condition, particularly liver stiffness and fatty liver disease.
What Is Transient Elastography?
Transient elastography is a test that measures liver tissue stiffness. The level of liver stiffness provides information that can help doctors predict liver fibrosis , the formation of scar tissue due to liver damage that occurs over time.
The examination is performed from the surface of the skin using a probe placed in the upper right abdominal area. Transient elastography requires no incisions or tissue sampling, making it a non-invasive test. The procedure is generally relatively short, and patients can return to their normal activities immediately afterward.
What Can Be Assessed Through Transient Elastography?
One of the main parameters of Transient elastography is the Liver Stiffness Measurement (LSM) . LSM helps doctors estimate the degree of fibrosis based on the patient's clinical condition.
Additionally, on devices equipped with the Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP) feature , transient elastography can help estimate the extent of fat accumulation in the liver, or steatosis. This information can be useful in evaluating patients with suspected fatty liver disease .
However, transient elastography results cannot be used solely to determine a diagnosis. Doctors need to consider medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests, imaging, and other examinations, if necessary.
When is a Transient Elastography Examination Needed?
Doctors may consider Transient elastography examination in patients with certain conditions or risk factors, such as fatty liver, chronic hepatitis B or C, excessive alcohol consumption, being overweight or obese, and metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus (DM) and dyslipidemia that can increase the risk of liver disease.
Transient elastography can also be used to help monitor liver condition over time in certain patients. The need for and frequency of testing should be determined by a doctor based on each patient's individual condition.
Is Transient Elastography the Same as a Liver Biopsy?
Transient elastography and liver biopsy are different tests. Transient elastography is non-invasive and provides an estimate of liver stiffness, while a biopsy involves taking a sample of liver tissue for further examination.
In certain conditions, a liver biopsy or additional examination may still be necessary to obtain more specific information.
Maintain Liver Health with Proper Examination
Liver disorders can develop without causing any specific symptoms. Therefore, an examination based on risk factors and underlying health conditions can help doctors identify liver changes and determine appropriate treatment.
If you have risk factors for liver disease, have abnormal liver function test results, or want to determine whether transient elastography is necessary, consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, specifically a Consultant Gastroenterologist-Hepatologist. Your doctor can determine the appropriate test based on your health condition.
The article was written by Dr. dr. Nella Suhuyanly, Sp.PD - KGEH, FINASIM (Internal Medicine Specialist - Consultant Gastro Entero Hepatology EMC Alam Sutera Hospital).