Liver Elastography (FibroScan): A Painless Test for Liver Fat and Scarring
Liver elastography, often called a FibroScan, is a quick, painless test that checks your liver for stiffness (scarring, or fibrosis) and fat. For many patients it replaces a liver biopsy. We perform it in our Temple City office.
The machine we use: Mindray Hepatus 5
We perform liver elastography with the Mindray Hepatus 5, an ultrasound system built for liver care. (FibroScan is one brand name for this kind of test. Our machine is made by Mindray.) It measures two things:
- Liver stiffness with ViTE (Visualized Transient Elastography). A live ultrasound image lets the operator see the liver and place the measurement in the right spot, and the system checks the quality of each reading.
- Liver fat with LiSA (Liver Ultra-Sound Attenuation), which measures how much the ultrasound beam weakens as it passes through the liver. More fat in the liver weakens the beam more.
The Hepatus 5 is cleared by the FDA (510(k) K251601) to help assess liver scarring and liver fat, and it lets us compare your results from one visit to the next. Learn more from Mindray's Hepatus 5 page and the Hepatus-Series announcement.
Who needs liver elastography?
- Fatty liver disease (MASLD/MASH)
- Hepatitis B and hepatitis C
- Abnormal liver tests
- Heavy alcohol use
- Autoimmune and cholestatic liver diseases
- Following known scarring or cirrhosis over time
How to prepare
- 3 hours before: stop eating and drinking. Only a small sip of water to take your morning medicines.
- If you have diabetes, don't take diabetes pills until you eat after the test, and take half your usual morning insulin.
- Wear comfortable clothes, with a top you can lift to reach your right side.
Read the full liver elastography instructions (also in Español, Tiếng Việt, 简体中文, and 繁體中文). All instruction sheets are on our Procedure Instructions page.
During the test
You lie on your back with your right arm raised. A small probe rests on the skin over your liver and sends a gentle pulse. You may feel a light tap or vibration. The test takes about 10 to 15 minutes, and you can ask for a chaperone at any time.
Results
- Liver stiffness (usually reported in kilopascals, kPa) estimates the amount of scarring
- Fat score (ultrasound attenuation, from LiSA) estimates how much fat is in the liver
Your gastroenterologist reviews the results with your blood tests and explains next steps, which may include treatment, follow-up testing, or liver cancer screening.
Make an appointment
Our gastroenterologists in Temple City care for patients from Arcadia, San Gabriel, Pasadena, Monrovia, Monterey Park, and across the San Gabriel Valley. We accept most PPO plans (see accepted insurances), and our doctors speak English, Vietnamese, and Mandarin. Schedule an appointment or call 626-898-4560.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk with your doctor about your own health.
Quick Answers
How do I prepare for liver elastography (FibroScan)?
Stop eating and drinking 3 hours before your appointment (only a small sip of water for medicines). Wear a top you can lift up.
How long does a FibroScan take?
About 10 to 15 minutes. It does not hurt and uses no needles.
What machine do you use for liver elastography?
We use the Mindray Hepatus 5, an FDA-cleared ultrasound system that measures liver stiffness (ViTE) and liver fat (LiSA).
Where can I get a FibroScan near Arcadia or Pasadena?
We perform liver elastography in our Temple City office at 6271 Rosemead Blvd. Call 626-898-4560.
