ELASTOGRAPHY

Elastography

A liver elastography is an ultrasound study that uses soundwaves to evaluate the degree of stiffness in liver tissue, a possible sign of liver fibrosis and fatty liver disease which can lead to chronic complications in the liver such as cirrhosis and ultimately liver failure as well as some forms of cancer.

A regular ultrasound machine will be utilized with the same ultrasound technique as any other abdominal ultrasound study. A measurement of the stiffness is then obtained and compared to normal table results to determine the liver stiffness. No preparation is required other than fasting 2-3 hours prior to the study, which is a painless and non-invasive procedure.