Elastography of the liver – An Efficient Tool to monitor liver health.

Are you interested in learning more about the elastography of the liver? Welcome to our blog, where we’ll delve into the intriguing area of liver elastography.

In this first part, we’ll take you on a journey to find out more about this elastography of the liver, a revolutionary imaging technique that is transforming the detection and management of liver diseases.

What is Elastography?

Hepatic elastography, also known as Elastography of liver, is a non-invasive imaging procedure used to examine the stiffness or elasticity of the liver. It is generally used for recognizing fibrosis of the liver and cirrhosis, both of which are conditions characterized by an abnormal accumulation of scar tissue in the liver as a result of chronic liver illnesses. Elastography evaluates liver stiffness in quantitative terms, which matches the degree of fibrosis present in the liver.

The illness can cause tissue damage or scar tissue. As scar tissue accumulates, the liver loses part of its flexibility and stiffness.

The Elastography of liver test for the liver costs you around₹ 1600 to ₹ 3750 respectively.

What are the types of Elastography of the liver?

• Ultrasound / Transient elastography (FibroScan), a non-invasive technology for determining the stiffness of the liver, has been proposed for the evaluation of hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease. It takes five minutes to complete the procedure itself.

The process of Ultrasound Elastography-  

1) You have to lie on your back on a testing table for the elastography of the liver, and then a special gel is put on the right abdomen (where the liver is).

2) A technology referred to as a transducer is put on the part of the body that encircles the liver.

3) You will feel vibrations that pass throughout your liver and come back to you. These sound waves are so loud that they are inaudible.

4) As the whole process finishes, you might experience a slight flick. On the computer screen, sound waves are captured, measured, and put forward.

5) The final outcome is that the test measurement shows the stiffness of the liver.

• The procedure combines ultrasonic waves that go into your liver. This is an improvement to the MRI technique, in which radio waves produce a picture of your organs on a computer screen. The entire procedure takes between 30 and 60 minutes.

The process of MRE (magnetic resonance elastography)-

1) MRE is nearly identical to MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), and the equipment that is used in both is similar.

2) You must lie on the examination table, which will eventually move inside the MRI scanner.

3) A pad will be placed on your belly by the radiology technician, and you will feel the waves flow through your liver.

4) The table will then be moved inside the tunnel-shaped MRI scanner, which includes a magnet. Before the examination, you will be given earplugs or headphones to help you block out the scanner’s loud noise.

5) Once inside the scanner, the pad gets activated and sends the measurements from the vibrations of your liver. 

6) Computer records the measurements and turns them into a visual map, which shows the stiffness of the liver.  

Both tests measure the stiffness of the liver. If the stiffness of the liver is high, fibrosis is high. The results can be mild, average, and advanced scarring. The first stage of the scarring is called fibrosis and advanced scarring is cirrhosis. If the cirrhosis is non-recoverable the only option is a liver transplant.

If you have these symptoms, there are chances of Fibrosis:

• Yellowing of the skin (jaundice)
• Fatigue
• Itching
• Bruising easily
• Heavy nosebleeds
• Swelling in the legs
• Weight loss
• Confusion

 Elastography liver fibrosis staging: 

There is a scoring system called ‘METAVIR” which analyses the activity of fibrosis in the liver. Only when a biopsy or tissue sample of a piece of the liver is taken by the doctor can this score typically be determined. The elastography of the liver mostly shows accurate results. 

The fibrosis stages range from F0 to F4:

• F0: no fibrosis
• F1: portal fibrosis without septa
• F2: portal fibrosis with few septa
• F3: numerous septa without cirrhosis
• F4: cirrhosis

Factors that may increase your risk of liver disease include:

• Heavy alcohol use
• Obesity
• Type 2 diabetes
• Tattoos or body piercings
• Injecting drugs using shared needles
• Blood transfusion before 1992
• Exposure to other people’s blood and body fluids
• Unprotected sex
• Exposure to certain chemicals or toxins
• Family history of liver disease

How you can treat fibrosis?

• Stopping or limiting alcohol
• controlling blood levels of fat, cholesterol, and sugar
• Losing some body weight
• Taking medications to remove excess fluid from the body
• Taking medications to remove toxins from the brain
• Limiting salt intake

Depending on the reason for the fibrosis and how severe it is, the liver may recover more slowly or quickly. Early fibrosis diagnosis and treatment can significantly increase a patient’s likelihood of achieving a full recovery.

Semwal Diagnostics is widely regarded as the best facility in Dehradun. The best radiology and imaging centre in town treats patients with the utmost attention. To achieve exact results, high-tech equipment is used.

We provide CT Scans, Ultrasounds, OPG, colour Doppler imaging, ECG, and digital X-rays in addition to elastography testing. All of these tests are affordable and provide reliable findings.

Our objective is to raise awareness about the clinic and the importance of scheduling these tests since they allow for proper diagnosis and successful illness treatment.

The staff is friendly and helps you through the process of these medical tests. In our services, we also provide a pick-up and drop service.; Where we pick up a patient, do the respective tests and drop him/her at their location. We welcome you to visit our clinic whenever in need, our professionals will guide you with their knowledge. You can visit our website to see the details and you can also book an appointment online.