Liver Elastography
Ultrasound elastography, also called sono-elastography, is a modern ultrasound technique that uses sound waves to assess the stiffness and elasticity of tissue. It is used as a non-invasive way to assess the degree of liver fibrosis in chronic liver disease and grade it accordingly.
How to Prepare
Adults: do not eat or drink 8 hours before the exam. Children: do not eat or drink 4 hours before the study, or skip one meal. Take medications with a small sip of water. If you are diabetic, please take your insulin.
Common Reasons for This Exam
type 2 diabetes; autoimmune disease; genetic disorders; long-term use of certain medications; liver disease; hepatitis B and C; alcohol use disorder; nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); tests that show inflammation or damage in the liver; symptoms of worsening liver disease such as easy bruising or bleeding, swelling in the legs, abdominal bloating, itchy skin, dark urine or jaundice; signs of cirrhosis such as fatigue, poor appetite, unexplained weight loss, nausea or mild upper-right abdominal pain.
How This Exam Helps
diagnose liver conditions in people at high risk for liver disease; show how serious liver disease is; guide treatment choices; monitor how well treatment is working; help predict the chance of serious complications; check how much fat is in the liver.