FibroScan

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無創脂肪肝及肝纖維化檢查 - FibroScan®肝纖維化掃描

Terms and Conditions :

  1. If client submit an appointment request using Virtus’ online system, it implies that the client has read and understood and consent to the terms and conditions set out below concerning the programme after submission.
  2. Service location:
    Virtus Medical Centre (H Zentre) - 11/F, H Zentre, 15 Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
  3. Medication and other treatment/investigation cost are not included in this programme.
  4. This service is not applicable for the use of Health Care Vouchers.
  5. This offer is non-refundable and non-transferable.
  6. Appointment is not confirmed until a confirmation email has been received.
  7. Client will receive a call from customer care team within 2 business days to confirm his/her booking.
  8. If client has not been contacted by customer care team within 2 business days of appointment request submission, client should call +852 8102 2022 to inquire about the status of his/her request.
  9. Virtus Medical Group reserves the right to vary/amend the offers and the terms and conditions at any time without prior notice. In case of any dispute, the decision of Virtus Medical Group shall be final.
  10. These terms and conditions are governed by and will be construed in accordance with the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
  11. These terms and conditions are subject to prevailing regulatory requirements.
  12. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese versions of these terms and conditions, the Chinese version shall prevail.

What can a FibroScan® detect?

FibroScan®, also known as transient elastography, is a non-invasive and painless technology for assessing liver fibrosis and fatty liver disease. It uses a probe, which is placed on the skin surface, to release gentle shock waves that travel through the liver and measures the velocity of the waves. The faster the waves travel and bounce back, the stiffer the liver is and the more scarring the liver has. The controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) score from FibroScan® can also measure the fatty change in the liver, making it a valuable device in assessing fatty liver disease (hepatic steatosis).

How is FibroScan® different from other liver examinations?

Pros Cons
Liver Biopsy
  • The gold standard for measuring liver fibrosis
  • Able to assess the grade of inflammation in the liver
  • Can simultaneously assess fatty liver disease
  • An invasive procedure, can lead to bleeding and other adverse events
  • Prone to sampling error
Liver Ultrasound
  • A non-invasive procedure
  • Can simultaneously assess tumours and fatty liver disease
  • Not a sensitive test for the diagnosis of mild liver fibrosis and fatty liver disease
FibroScan®
  • A non-invasive procedure
  • A more accurate method in assessing liver fibrosis and cirrhosis
  • Can simultaneously assess fatty liver disease
  • Cannot determine the grade of inflammation in the liver
Blood Test
  • A liver function test, able to assess the grade of inflammation in the liver
  • Unable to identify liver fibrosis

Who Should Get a FibroScan®?

A CUHK’s study in 2013/14 revealed that 47% of diabetic patients have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), among which 33% have developed severe liver fibrosis despite having normal liver enzyme levels (e.g.: aspartate transaminase, AST). The findings reflected that liver enzyme levels were not the best marker for fatty liver or liver fibrosis. The liver-specialized ultrasound device FibroScan® is non-invasive and could measures fibrosis (scarring) and steatosis (fatty change). The following group of people who are at higher risk for liver diseases are recommended to have their liver checked as part of a regular health assessment.

Group Risk
Diabetes/ Insulin Resistance
  • 1 out of 4 diabetic patients had fatty liver and 18 % of them developed severe liver fibrosis or cirrhosis
  • Patients with impaired fasting glucose (>5.6 mmol/l) are 2.2 times likely to have NAFLD than healthy individuals
Obesity

Patients with body mass index > 30 hg/m2:

  • 95% had fatty liver
  • 35% had severe liver fibrosis
Hypertension

Patients with elevated blood pressure (> 130/85 mmHg) are 1.5 times as likely to have NAFLD than healthy individuals

Dyslipidaemia
  • Patients with impaired suboptimal levels of triglycerides (>1.7 mmol/l) are 3 times as likely to have NAFLD than healthy people
  • Patients with reduced high density lipoprotein cholesterol (<1.03 mmol/l in men and <1.29 mmol/l in women) are 2.5 times as likely to have NAFLD than healthy people
Alcohol consumer

Compared to non-drinkers, people who drink 2 glasses (each contains 10g alcohol) a day has a 7 % higher chance of developing 27 chronic diseases associated to alcohol use; the number for those who drink 5 glasses per day is 37%.

Hepatitis B

Estimated HBV infection in Hong Kong is around 540,000 cases

  • Can persist for decades without symptoms
  • Increases risk of liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma
  • Lifetime risk of liver cancer if untreated, male: 27%; female: 8%
Hepatitis C
  • Can persist for decades without symptoms
  • Increases risk of liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma
  • Lifetime risk of liver cancer if untreated, male: 24%; female: 17%
Take certain medication for a long time

Example of medicine that can caused fatty liver:

  • Corticosteroids

However, people with the following conditions are not recommended to take the examination:

  • Pregnancy
  • Implanted with a pacemaker/defibrillator
  • Ascites
  • Obesity
  • Very small rib spaces

How is FibroScan® done?

  1. You should fast for 3 hours before the examination.
  2. During the examination, you will lie down on your back with your right arm raised behind your head.
  3. A small amount of water-based gel will be applied to the right side of your abdomen.
  4. A FibroScan® probe will be placed on the skin between your right ribs to obtain the measurement.
  5. You may feel a slight vibration on the skin at the tip of the probe.
  6. The scan takes approximately 5-10 minutes. You can receive the result immediately.

Reference:

https://www.med.cuhk.edu.hk/tc/press-releases/cuhk-discovers-fatty-liver-causing-severe-liver-fibrosis-or-cirrhosis-in-1-out-of-5-diabetic-patients

https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/ncd_watch_jun2015.pdf

https://www.bmj.com/content/357/bmj.j2353

https://www.hepatitis.gov.hk/doc/action_plan/Action%20Plan_Full%20Version_PDF_tc.pdf

Our Team

Virtus Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism Specialists

Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism

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