FibroScan at Cheltenham Hospital

What is a FibroScan?

A FibroScan is a scan that measures how stiff and fatty your liver is, without the need for any cuts or needles. It works in a similar way to an ultrasound and gives your doctor information about scarring (fibrosis) in your liver.

Why might I need a FibroScan?

Your doctor might suggest a FibroScan if you have, or might have, a long-term liver condition, such as:

• fatty liver disease, including when it's linked to alcohol or to conditions like obesity, diabetes or high cholesterol
• hepatitis B or hepatitis C
• autoimmune hepatitis
• a genetic condition such as haemochromatosis, where too much iron builds up in the body
• cirrhosis, or ongoing monitoring after a liver transplant.

It's also used to see if your liver is improving or getting worse over time, for example after you've made lifestyle changes.

What are the benefits of a FibroScan?

A FibroScan gives your doctor a picture of your liver's condition without the need for a liver biopsy, which involves removing a small piece of liver tissue with a needle, needs sedation, and takes longer to recover from.

Because it's quick and can be repeated easily, it's also useful for tracking whether your liver is getting better or worse over time, for example after cutting down on alcohol or losing weight.

How do I prepare for a FibroScan?

Preparation varies between clinics, so always follow the specific instructions you're given:

• Some services ask you not to eat for 2 to 4 hours before the scan, and not to drink for up to 2 hours beforehand
• Others say no special preparation is needed at all, and you don't need to be fasted
• You can usually keep taking your regular medications as normal
• Wear clothing that can be lifted or moved to expose the right side of your ribcage
• Some services suggest avoiding alcohol for 24 hours beforehand, as this may affect your results.

What happens during a FibroScan?

1. You'll be asked some questions about your lifestyle and general health, and may have your height and weight measured
2. You lie on your back on an examination couch and raise your right arm behind your head, exposing the right side of your ribcage
3. The person carrying out the scan feels for the best spot on your ribcage to locate your liver
4. A cold, water-based gel is applied to the skin, and a small probe is placed against your right side
5. The probe sends painless pulses into your liver – you may feel a slight flick or vibration, but this shouldn't hurt
6. At least 10 measurements are taken to make sure the results are accurate.

The scan itself usually takes only a few minutes, though your appointment overall may last between 15 and 30 minutes.

What happens after a FibroScan?

You can get dressed and return to your normal activities straight away. There's no recovery time needed and no sedation to wear off.

Some clinics can give you your result on the spot, along with an explanation of what it means and any lifestyle advice. Other times, your result is sent to the doctor or nurse who referred you, and they'll discuss it with you at a follow-up appointment.

Your FibroScan result is always considered alongside your medical history, blood tests and any other results, since no single test can diagnose the cause or extent of liver disease on its own. Depending on what's found, you may be offered another FibroScan in the future, for example some services offer a repeat scan after 3 years, to check whether your liver has improved or got worse.

What are the risks of a FibroScan?

There are no physical risks – the test doesn't involve needles, cuts, sedation or radiation, so there's nothing to recover from afterwards.

However in some cases, it's not possible to get an accurate result. If this happens, your doctor or nurse will decide on the best next steps, which might include a different test.

A result on its own doesn't give the full picture. Your FibroScan is always looked at alongside your medical history and other test results, since no single test can diagnose the cause or extent of liver disease.