Liver elastography is a test that measures the stiffness of your liver.
Stiffness is usually sparked by scarring, which can be a sign of liver disease.
A liver scan is an ultrasound of the liver conducted with a piece of equipment called a Fibroscan.
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Both options for liver elastography are painless and quick.
Sometimes, elastography will be done via MRI scan, which is delivered with an MRI machine.
The vibrations of the waves move faster in areas of scarring.
During an ultrasound elastography, healthcare providers use an ultrasound machine to aim sound waves at your liver.
This is sometimes done with a machine called a FibroScan.
Sometimes, a healthcare provider will order an MRE scan.
This is similar to a liver ultrasound, but uses an MRI machine.
This is also quick, and takes about five minutes, though the setup can take about 45 minutes.
Its also painless, though some people feel claustrophobic in an MRI machine.
Talk with your healthcare provider.
if youve never had an MRI.
What Does the Test Diagnose?
Liver elastography is used to identify scarring (fibrosis) and fat on your liver.
Scarring is dangerous because it blocks blood flow to the liver.
When scarring is severe, its calledliver cirrhosis.
Symptoms of Liver Disease
Liver disease or scarring does not always show symptoms until its advanced.
Aliver panel testis a punch in of blood work that is often part of routine yearly blood work.
Your healthcare provider may also suggest elastography if youre at increased risk for cirrhosis.
The following conditions increase your risk:
Who Should Avoid This Procedure?
Both liver ultrasounds and MRIs are safe for most people.
However, if you experience claustrophobia, talk with your healthcare provider before getting an MRI.
You will be advised to abstain from eating or drinking for three hours before your appointment.
Wear loose-fitting clothes that allow you to expose your belly.
During that time the transducer will send pulses into your liver.
You may feel the vibrations, but it wont be painful.
Youll lie on a table and expose your right abdomen.
The MRI technician will put small devices onto your abdomen.
These send and receive the radio signals used for the test.
These pulses will then be used to create an image of your liver.
FibroScan results will likely take about a week.
Above 5% you will likely be diagnosed withfatty liver disease.
Based on your liver elastography results, talk with your healthcare provider about atreatment plan for liver disease.
Summary
Liver elastography is a painless test that measures scarring on your liver and liver fat.
Most liver elastography is done via ultrasound, using a tool called a FibroScan.
Other times, its conducted using an MRI machine to provide an MRE scan.
Liver elastography is quick and painless, and you should have your results in about a week.
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