Diffuse liver disease is one of the major health problems in the world.
Many diseases and conditions can affect the liver including hepatitis,
non-alcoholic or alcoholic fatty liver disease, autoimmune and excessive
amounts of pain/fever drugs like acetaminophen.
Ultrasound elastography is a safe, noninvasive procedure that uses sound
waves to measure the stiffness or elasticity of the liver. Elastography
is helpful for detecting liver disease and determining its severity.
Purpose of this Procedure
Ultrasound elastography is used to detect liver disease and can:
Assist in determining severity of disease
Guide treatment decisions
Monitor response to treatment
Assist in prediction of certain liver complications
Ultrasound elastography is utilized in place of a liver biopsy thereby
eliminating risks associated with invasive procedures. The procedure assesses
a larger portion of the liver than a biopsy giving your doctor more in-depth
information about your overall liver health.
What to Expect?
This safe, noninvasive procedure typically takes less than 30 minutes to
complete and requires you to fast for only four hours prior. For ultrasound
testing, gel is applied to the skin to help transmit the sound waves.
A small, handheld instrument called a transducer is passed back and forth
over the area of the body being examined. The transducer sends out sound
waves and converts them into an image that is displayed on a monitor.
For more information, speak to your physician or contact Gunnison Valley
Health's Diagnostic Imaging Department at
(970) 641-7253.
