Transient elastography
The FibroTouch examination is a quick, painless and non-invasive method that helps assess liver fibrosis and fat accumulation in the liver (steatosis).
The results can provide valuable information as part of a gastroenterological or hepatological assessment. In cases of fatty liver disease or metabolic liver involvement, appropriate dietetic counselling may also support lifestyle changes and treatment.
The examination does not involve needles or any other invasive procedure and can usually be completed within 10–15 minutes.
What does the FibroTouch examination measure?
The device uses transient elastography technology to assess the elasticity and stiffness of the liver. It measures how an elastic wave travels through the liver tissue, allowing conclusions to be drawn about tissue stiffness. In chronic liver disease, increasing scar tissue formation—fibrosis and, in advanced cases, cirrhosis—may lead to increased liver stiffness.
In addition to measuring liver stiffness, FibroTouch can provide information about the amount of fat in the liver, known as the degree of steatosis.
When is a FibroTouch examination recommended?
The examination may be particularly useful:
- in cases of suspected or previously diagnosed fatty liver disease,
- to assess liver involvement associated with being overweight, obesity or diabetes,
- in patients with chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection,
- in cases of autoimmune liver disease,
- when alcohol-related liver damage is suspected,
- in cases of medication-related liver damage,
- to assess the severity of a known chronic liver disease,
- as part of the investigation of unexplained abnormal liver enzyme levels,
- to monitor the condition of a previously diagnosed liver disease.
Transient elastography can be used in various chronic liver diseases as part of the non-invasive assessment of fibrosis.
What can FibroTouch not determine?
It is important to understand that the FibroTouch examination cannot identify the underlying cause of liver disease on its own and does not replace a specialist medical assessment.
It is also not the appropriate method for detecting focal liver lesions, such as benign or malignant tumours. Other imaging examinations may be required in such cases.
FibroTouch results should therefore always be evaluated together with the patient’s medical history, laboratory results and, where necessary, other imaging findings.
What are the advantages of FibroTouch?
The examination:
- is painless and non-invasive,
- is quick and can usually be completed within 10–15 minutes,
- provides numerical information about liver stiffness and fat accumulation,
- can be repeated, making it suitable for monitoring changes in the condition of the liver,
- does not involve exposure to radiation.
Repeated measurements can help monitor the progression of chronic liver disease. However, the results should always be interpreted as part of the complete clinical picture.
How should you prepare for a FibroTouch examination?
You must avoid eating for 3 hours before the examination.
The FibroTouch examination can also be performed in children weighing more than 15 kg.