FibroScan: A Non-Invasive Tool for Liver Assessment FibroScan is a specialized medical device used to assess liver health by measuring liver stiffness and fat content. It is a non-invasive, quick, and painless procedure that helps diagnose and monitor liver diseases such as fibrosis, cirrhosis, and fatty liver disease. Developed as an alternative to liver biopsy, FibroScan provides valuable insights into liver health without the need for surgery or tissue sampling. How FibroScan Works FibroScan uses a technology called transient elastography to measure liver stiffness. A probe placed on the skin over the liver emits low-frequency sound waves (or shear waves) into the liver tissue. The speed at which these waves travel through the liver determines the stiffness. Faster wave speeds indicate higher stiffness, which is often linked to fibrosis (scarring of the liver). The test also measures the Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP) to assess liver fat content, helping to diagnose fatty liver disease (steatosis). Uses of FibroScan FibroScan is widely used to evaluate and monitor chronic liver conditions, including: Hepatitis B and C Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Alcoholic Liver Disease Cirrhosis Liver Fibrosis Advantages of FibroScan Non-invasive – No needles or incisions required. Quick and Painless – The procedure takes about 5–10 minutes. Accurate and Reliable – Provides immediate results with high accuracy. Repeatable – Can be repeated regularly to monitor disease progression or response to treatment. Limitations FibroScan may be less accurate in people with obesity, inflammation, or high liver fat levels. It also cannot differentiate between different causes of liver stiffness, so it is often used alongside other diagnostic tests. Conclusion FibroScan is a valuable tool for evaluating liver health, offering a safe, fast, and reliable alternative to biopsy. Its ability to measure both fibrosis and fat content makes it crucial in the management of chronic liver diseases.