Elastography
Liver elastography is used to check for liver fibrosis (scarring).
Liver elastography is used to check for liver fibrosis (scarring). It may be used instead of a liver biopsy , which involves removing a piece of liver tissue for testing. The information from an elastography test can help: Diagnose liver conditions in people who have a high risk for liver disease Show how serious liver disease is Guide treatment choices for liver disease Monitor how well treatment for liver disease is working Help predict the chance that liver disease will cause certain serious problems Check how much fat is in the liver
Why is this test ordered? You may need an elastography test to check for liver fibrosis (scarring) if you: Have liver disease and your health care provider needs information to guide treatment choices. Have had other liver tests that show you may have inflammation or damage in your liver. Are more likely to develop cirrhosis (severe liver scarring). Conditions that increase your risk for cirrhosis include: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) Type 2 diabetes Chronic (long-lasting) hepatitis B or C Certain autoimmune diseases or genetic disorders Long-term use of certain medicines Have signs or symptoms of cirrhosis. Cirrhosis may not cause symptoms until your liver is badly damaged. Symptoms of early cirrhosis may include: Feeling tired or weak Having a poor appetite Losing weight without trying Nausea and vomiting Mild pain in the upper ride side of your abdomen (belly) As your liver condition gets worse, you may have other symptoms, including: Bruising and bleeding easily Confusion, memory loss, or sleep disorders Swelling in your legs or feet Bloating or full feeling in your abdomen from fluid buildup Itchy skin Dark urine (pee) Jaundice (a condition that causes your skin and eyes to turn yellow)
Clinical Interpretation
Your elastography images will be studied by a radiologist, who will send your results to your provider. Your results will show how much stiffness was found in your liver. This tells you how much liver scarring (fibrosis) you have. Your results will be given a fibrosis score which is based on the amount of stiffness in your liver and the cause: F0 to F1 is normal, which means you have little or no scarring in your liver. F2 means you have moderate scarring. F3 means you have severe scarring. F4 means you have cirrhosis (very severe scarring). Your results also show how much fat buildup you have in your liver. The measurement of fat in your liver is called a "CAP score." It tells you the percentage of your liver that is fat. The amount of fat in a normal liver is 5% or less. Higher amounts mean you have fatty liver disease, which may cause fibrosis. If you have mild to severe fibrosis and/or fatty liver disease, your condition can improve if you treat the cause and make lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise . If you have cirrhosis, treating the cause may keep liver scarring from getting worse. Successful treatment may slowly improve some of the scarring. If you have questions about your results, talk with your provider. Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results.
Clinical Protocol & Patient Advice
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Your provider will tell you how to prepare for a liver elastography. In general, it's best to wear a loose-fitting shirt or sweater that you can easily pull up. You may be told to fast (not eat or drink) for several hours before your test. If you're having an MRE, you'll need to remove all metal from your body. If you have any medical devices or metal inside your body let your provider know. The scanner can heat metal and cause burns.
Usage Guidance
- Reference ranges vary by laboratory. Always discuss your specific results with a qualified healthcare professional.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. View the original.