What technology is used in Fibroscan (Fibrosis Scan)?

From the Guidelines

FibroScan uses vibration controlled transient elastography (VCTE) technology to assess liver stiffness and detect fibrosis. This non-invasive technique works by sending a mechanical pulse wave through the liver and measuring the speed at which the wave travels using ultrasound, as described in the study by Kanwal et al. 1. Stiffer liver tissue, indicative of fibrosis or cirrhosis, allows the wave to travel faster. The device provides immediate results in kilopascals (kPa), with higher values suggesting more advanced fibrosis.

Some key points to consider when using FibroScan include:

• The technology is based on VCTE, which is a well-validated method for assessing liver fibrosis 1
• The device provides immediate results in kilopascals (kPa), with higher values suggesting more advanced fibrosis 1
• Some FibroScan models also include controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) technology, which measures liver fat content simultaneously, helping to detect steatosis
• The procedure is painless, quick (typically 5-10 minutes), and requires no recovery time, making it an excellent alternative to liver biopsy for monitoring chronic liver diseases
• The technology is particularly valuable for patients with conditions like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, alcoholic liver disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, allowing physicians to track disease progression and treatment response without invasive procedures

It's worth noting that while other studies, such as those published in Liver International 1 and the Journal of Hepatology 1, discuss the use of other non-invasive methods for assessing liver fibrosis, the most recent and highest quality study, published in Gastroenterology 1, supports the use of VCTE technology in FibroScan for this purpose.

From the Research

Technology Used in Fibroscan

The technology used in Fibroscan, also known as transient elastography, is a non-invasive method for assessing liver fibrosis. This technique uses:

• Low-frequency elastic waves to measure liver stiffness, which is directly related to elasticity 2
• Ultrasound (US) technology, specifically a 5 MHz frequency, in combination with the elastic waves 2
• A one-dimensional (1-D) transient elastography technique to quantify liver fibrosis 2
• A mechanical vibrator and a B-mode ultrasound transducer to measure liver stiffness based on shear wave propagation in liver tissues 3

Key Components of Fibroscan Technology

Some key components of the Fibroscan technology include:

• The use of a specific measurement probe designed and fabricated with a B-mode ultrasound transducer fixed along the axis of a mechanical vibrator 3
• The integration of real-time B-mode imaging for non-invasive liver fibrosis assessment 3
• The development of a new XL probe with a larger probe, lower ultrasound frequency, and deeper penetration to increase the success rate of transient elastography in obese patients 4

Studies Supporting the Use of Fibroscan Technology

Several studies have validated the use of Fibroscan technology for assessing liver fibrosis, including:

• A prospective study of 711 patients with chronic liver disease, which found that liver stiffness measurement was significantly correlated with fibrosis stage 5
• A study of 106 patients with chronic hepatitis C, which found that liver elasticity measurements were reproducible and well correlated with fibrosis grade 2
• A feasibility study of 67 volunteers, which found that the Liverscan system, a transient elastography system with real-time B-mode imaging, was able to measure and differentiate liver of different stiffness 3