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Fibroscan

Northern Medical Group Gastroenterology Division Our Services Fibroscan

Northern Medical Group Gastroenterology Division

GASTROENTEROLOGY PRACTICE LOCATED IN POUGHKEEPSIE, NY, FISHKILL, NY & HIGHLAND, NY

FibroScan® is an advanced medical device specially designed for measuring the tissue changes that liver disease causes. The experienced physicians at Northern Medical Group Gastroenterology Division carefully monitor the health of your liver using FibroScan’s ultrasound technology to evaluate scarring and fatty build-up. The device is quick, non-invasive, and accurately reveals progressive liver problems. To learn more about FibroScan, call the office in Fishkill, Poughkeepsie, New York, or book an appointment online today.

Fibroscan Q & A

Fibroscan

Why would I need FibroScan?

FibroScan can diagnose cirrhosis and fatty liver in some patients. You also need FibroScan to monitor the ongoing health of your liver if you have a diagnosis of:

  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C
  • Cirrhosis
  • Hemochromatosis
  • Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
  • Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

These conditions can all cause inflammation, which, in turn, damages your liver. Chronic inflammation causes scarring in the affected liver tissues, resulting in a condition called fibrosis.

Without treatment, fibrosis gets progressively worse and interferes with the liver’s ability to function. If you receive a liver disease diagnosis, it’s essential to determine the extent of the liver’s fibrosis and fat and to evaluate progression.

FibroScan allows your provider at Northern Medical Group Gastroenterology Division to accurately measure the amount of scarring and fat without needing a biopsy.

What happens during a FibroScan examination?

During your FibroScan exam, you simply lie down and lift your right arm above your head. Your provider applies a gel to your skin and places the handheld FibroScan device against your right side, gently pushing it between two ribs.

The blunt tip of the device sends out a pulse of energy, causing a feeling of vibration or a slight flick against your skin. As the wave of energy travels through your liver, the device uses ultrasound to measure its speed.

The speed of the energy and the waves that return to the device produce two scores. One score tells your provider about the amount of scar tissue, while the other tells the amount of fat.

Your FibroScan only takes about 10 minutes, and the procedure is painless. Your provider can immediately read the results and use them to create or adjust your treatment.

How do I prepare for a FibroScan?

Your scan occurs while your stomach is empty, so you can’t eat for at least three hours before your scheduled exam. Otherwise, you don’t need to prepare. You only need to wear comfortable clothes and a shirt that you can lift up to expose the right side of your ribs.

If you’re pregnant, you shouldn’t have a FibroScan. You also can’t have the procedure if you have a pacemaker or an implantable defibrillator.

If you have liver disease and would like to learn more about FibroScan, call Northern Medical Group Gastroenterology Division, or book an appointment online today.