Maintaining liver health isn't just about when symptoms arise. In people with certain risk factors, such as being overweight or obese, fatty liver disease, metabolic disorders, excessive alcohol consumption, chronic hepatitis B or liver disease caused by biliary system disorders, transient elastography can be a test that helps doctors non-invasively evaluate and monitor liver health.
Why Should Liver Condition Be Monitored?
The liver plays a vital role in metabolism, nutrient processing, the production of various proteins, and helps the body process various substances. Some liver diseases can develop slowly and may not cause any typical symptoms in the early stages.
Long-term liver damage can lead to liver fibrosis , the formation of scar tissue in the liver. If fibrosis continues to progress, it can progress to cirrhosis in some cases. Therefore, recognizing risk factors and undergoing appropriate medical evaluations are essential for maintaining liver health.
How Does Transient Elastography Help Assess Liver Condition?
The Fibroscan device uses transient elastography technology to measure liver stiffness . This value can help doctors estimate the extent of liver fibrosis while considering the patient's clinical condition.
On devices equipped with the Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP) feature , the examination can also help estimate the level of steatosis or fat accumulation in the liver.
Transient elastography is performed by placing a probe on the skin surface between the ribs in the upper right abdominal area. This test does not use a needle to obtain a tissue sample, making it non-invasive and generally can be performed in a relatively short time.
Who May Need Transient Elastography?
Not everyone needs a transient elastography test. Doctors may recommend it based on the patient's condition and risk factors, such as those with fatty liver disease, chronic hepatitis B or C, excessive alcohol consumption, overweight or obesity, and certain medical conditions associated with increased risk of liver disease.
Transient elastography may also be considered to help monitor the condition of patients known to have chronic liver disease.
How to Understand Transient Elastography Results?
Transient elastography results should not be interpreted on their own. Liver stiffness values can be influenced by various factors, and interpretation of results may vary depending on the condition and cause of liver disease.
Therefore, the doctor will evaluate the results of the transient elastography along with other information, such as medical history, physical examination, blood tests, and other necessary investigations. FibroScan is an evaluation tool and not the sole test used to diagnose liver disease.
Get to Know Your Liver Condition Better
Understanding your liver condition can help your doctor determine appropriate monitoring or treatment. Especially for those with risk factors for liver disease, a medical evaluation can be performed without having to wait for symptoms to appear.
Consult your liver health with an Internal Medicine Specialist, specifically a Gastroenterology-Hepatology Consultant, to find out whether a Transient Elastography examination is necessary and to get examination recommendations based on your condition.
Article written by dr. Apriliana Adhyaksari, Sp.PD, Subsp.GEH (K), M.Kes, FINASIM (Internal Medicine Specialist - Consultant Gastro Entero Hepatology EMC Hospital Alam Sutera & Tangerang).