FibroScan® Treatment

Early detection and intervention are keys to preventing the progression of many diseases, including liver disease. Marshall Health offers patients a non-invasive procedure option that effectively screens for fibrosis and cirrhosis.

FibroScan® uses a small probe on the skin to transmit vibrations that help determine the degree of fibrosis or scarring that may be present on the liver.

Patients who will benefit most from the procedure are those at greatest risk for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition in which excess fat builds up in the liver, and NASH, an advanced form of NAFLD. Risk factors include:

  • type 2 diabetes
  • an obesity BMI of 30 or higher and at least one metabolic risk factor (e.g. hypertension or dyslipidemia)
  • image finding of fatty liver or steatosis;
  • or elevated aminotransferases.

For some patients, the FibroScan could replace the need for a liver biopsy.  

Marshall Internal Medicine - Teays Valley

An outpatient department of Cabell Huntington Hospital
Marshall Health-Teays Valley
300 Corporate Center Drive
2nd Floor
Scott Depot, WV 25560
Phone: 304.691.6910

Map & Directions

FibroScan® uses a small probe to transmit vibrations that help determine the degree of fibrosis or scarring that may be present on the liver as a result of various pathologies, such as metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, chronic viral hepatitis and excess alcohol intake.

Referrals are welcome from primary care, internal medicine subspecialties, obesity medicine and bariatrics and surgery.

The four groups known to be at greatest risk of NAFLD/NASH-related fibrosis include: 

  • Type 2 Diabetes. It is recommended that all T2DM patient be tested.
  • Obesity BMI 30+ and 1 metabolic risk factor (hypertension, dyslipidemia, OSA, pre-DM)
  • Incidental image finding of fatty liver or hepatomegaly/steatosis
  • Elevated aminotransferases (per AASLD: Female AST/ALT > 20, Male AST or ALT >30

“Fibroscan® is an innovative, non-invasive, painless modality that can detect with high accuracy any potential damage or disease process. Standard imaging, such as ultrasounds, computerized tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs), are unable to detect fibrosis as they lack the technique of transient elastography to detect liver stiffness via shear wave elocities. Fibroscan® can both complement the need and reduce the number of liver biopsies required to monitor the progression, stagnation or regression of a liver disease state.”  

- Hepatologist Tejas Joshi, MD

appointments & referrals

For more information or to make a referral, call Marshall Internal Medicine at 304-691-6762.