SoCal Gastroenterology offers complete care of the digestive system. That means when a patient with gastrointestinal concerns makes an appointment at SoCal Gastroenterology, everything from the evaluation to treatment, including diagnostic imaging, happens under the care of a SoCal Gastroenterology medical professional.

At SoCal Gastroenterology we provide our patients with the latest technology in diagnostic imaging, including FibroScan®, a non-invasive test used to determine liver health.

How does FibroScan® work?

FibroScan® uses a technology called Vibration Controlled Transient Elastography (VCTE™) that assesses liver stiffness by capturing and calculating the speed of a shear wave as it travels through the liver. This detection of stiffness may be used as an aid to clinical management of liver disease.

You lie on your back with your right arm raised behind your head. The operator applies a water-based gel to the skin and positions the probe adjacent to your liver. The operator then scans your liver to capture ten meaningful measurements made at the same location. The result is delivered at the end of the examination as a number in “kilopascals” (kPa). 

Is FibroScan® painful?

No, FibroScan® is completely painless. During the scan, you will only feel a slight vibration on the skin at the tip of the probe. This quick test is painless, non-invasive, and can be repeated safely.

Why use FibroScan®?

Your liver serves as the body’s filter, pumping more than 1.5 quartz of blood through it every minute, removing toxins and waste products from the bloodstream as it goes. The liver stores vital nutrients and also manages cholesterol, hormones, and sugar. 

It’s important to know when your liver is in trouble. A FibroScan® examination can help you and your healthcare provider understand your liver status, and when needed, create a care plan to support this vital organ.