FibroScan Liver Scan

The liver performs many functions, including filtering toxins and helping regulate metabolism. But liver disease often develops silently, with few symptoms in the early stages.

A FibroScan is a noninvasive test that helps doctors evaluate liver health by measuring scarring and fat in the liver. Our specialists provide FibroScan testing in San Antonio to evaluate liver health. The test gathers important information without needles or a traditional liver biopsy.

FibroScan is a type of liver elastography. It measures the stiffness of the liver using ultrasound-based technology. It’s noninvasive, so nothing is inserted into your body, and no needles are required for testing.

FibroScan helps your doctor assess two important things:

• Liver stiffness, which can indicate scarring, called fibrosis
• Fat accumulation in the liver, also known as steatosis

In many cases, it allows your doctor to gather meaningful information about your liver’s health without the need for a biopsy.

FibroScan provides two separate measurements:

Liver Stiffness

Liver stiffness reflects the degree of scarring. Increased stiffness generally suggests more advanced fibrosis. The results are measured in kilopascals (kPa).

• Lower numbers typically indicate little to no scarring
• Higher numbers suggest more significant fibrosis
• Very high levels may be consistent with cirrhosis

The CAP score estimates the amount of fat in the liver. It is measured in decibels per meter (dB/m). Higher CAP scores generally indicate more fatty change, known as steatosis.

Fat accumulation and scarring are measured separately. You can have one without the other. Your doctor will interpret these results in the context of your:

• Symptoms
• General health
• Medical history
• Blood tests
• Additional imaging

FibroScan is commonly used to evaluate individuals with:

• Fatty liver disease, including metabolic-associated fatty liver disease
• Elevated liver enzymes
• Chronic hepatitis B or C
• Alcohol-related liver disease
• Insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome
• Suspected fibrosis or cirrhosis

If you are making lifestyle changes or receiving treatment for liver disease, it may be used to monitor liver health over longer periods of time.

The test is simple and painless.
You will lie on your back with your right arm raised behind your head. A small probe is placed on the skin over the upper right abdomen. The device sends painless pulses through the liver and measures how quickly the waves travel through the tissue.

The entire test takes about 10 to 15 minutes.

It requires no:

• Needles
• Sedation
• Recovery time

You can return to normal activities immediately afterward.

Your doctor will review your stiffness measurement and CAP score with you. These numbers help determine whether there is minimal scarring, moderate fibrosis, or more advanced disease. If scarring is present, the next steps may include:

• Lifestyle modification
• Weight management
• Treatment of viral hepatitis
• Reducing alcohol intake
• Managing diabetes or metabolic syndrome
• Ongoing monitoring

FibroScan can be repeated over time to track changes in liver stiffness and fat content.

Liver disease can progress silently. Tools like FibroScan help detect problems earlier. It is a safe, noninvasive way to evaluate liver stiffness and fatty changes without the need for needles or surgery.

Because liver disease can develop without clear symptoms, testing can play an important role in early detection. A FibroScan provides a safe, noninvasive way to evaluate liver stiffness and fatty changes.

If your doctor has recommended liver testing or you have risk factors for liver disease, our team in San Antonio can help determine whether a FibroScan is right for you. Schedule an appointment to learn more about your liver health and the next steps in your care.

1. Is FibroScan a replacement for a liver biopsy?

FibroScan provides helpful information about liver stiffness and fat in the liver without the risks of a biopsy. In some complex cases, however, a liver biopsy may still be recommended.

2. Is a FibroScan test painful?

No. Most people say it feels similar to a standard ultrasound. You may feel a light tapping sensation from the probe, but the test should not be painful.

3. Can FibroScan improve liver stiffness?

In early or moderate stages, liver scarring may stabilize or improve with treatment. This may include better metabolic control or avoiding alcohol. Advanced cirrhosis is harder to reverse, which is why early detection is important.

4. Does a high CAP score mean I have cirrhosis?

No. The CAP score measures fat in the liver, not scarring. Fat buildup and fibrosis are different processes. Your doctor will review both results to better understand your liver health.

5. Can certain conditions affect FibroScan results?

Yes. Some conditions can temporarily increase liver stiffness and make results appear higher than they are. FibroScan may also be less accurate in people with higher body weight, fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites), or certain structural liver conditions.