An estimated 80 million Americans have fatty liver disease. Are you one of them? With Liver Elastography/FibroScan, now available at Peninsula Imaging, you can find out with an easy, non-invasive test. Liver Elastography/FibroScan is a specialized ultrasound machine for your liver. It measures fibrosis (scarring) and steatosis (fatty change) in your liver. Fatty change is when fat builds up in your liver cells.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) occurs when a large amount of fat accumulates in the liver (5-10% by weight). In its mildest form the disease doesn’t cause much trouble and presents with few (if any) symptoms and/or complications.
However, if NAFLD is left unaddressed it can develop into a much more harmful disease-state called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which involves inflammation of the liver. NASH affects 20% of those with NAFLD. It occurs when scar tissue (fibrosis) is visible in the liver. Fibrosis can develop into advanced scarring (cirrhosis) or liver cancer.
With FibroScanFibroScan, NAFLD can be detected early and may be successfully treated with lifestyle changes. Additionally, with FibroScan, your progress can be monitored. Talk with your physician about your risk for NAFLD and if you could benefit from a FibroScan at Peninsula Imaging.