Introducing FibroScan: A Game-Changer in Liver Health Monitoring

When it comes to liver health, early detection of disease and consistent monitoring are key. At Valley View Gastroenterology Center, Dr. Eric Gochanour has recently introduced FibroScan, a non-invasive technology to assess liver conditions like fibrosis (scarring), steatosis (fatty liver) and cirrhosis (advanced scarring)—without the need for biopsies. Valley View is the first hospital in the Roaring Fork and Eagle Valleys to offer this gold-standard technology.

“I’ve used FibroScan for the last seven years,” says Dr. Eric Gochanour, gastroenterologist and hepatologist, responsible for establishing the hepatology program at Valley View. “I knew when I came to Valley View, I wanted to bring this technology with me to better serve the community at detecting fibrosis and fatty liver disease.”

According to Dr. Gochanour, FibroScan is a specialized ultrasound-based device that measures liver stiffness and fat content using transient elastography. It’s quick, painless and typically takes less than 15 minutes. Patients lie on their back while a probe sends ultrasound waves into the liver, analyzing how fast they travel to determine tissue elasticity. There is no sedation needed, and results are available soon after the scan is complete.

“Twenty-five to 30 percent of people in the United States are estimated to have MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease) that often goes undetected,” says Dr. Gochanour. MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis), a severe form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, is the fat buildup in the liver along with inflammation and liver cell damage, which can lead to fibrosis and eventually cirrhosis. “This technology is fast and safe and the accuracy it provides makes it ideal for routine monitoring and early intervention, helping patients and providers stay ahead of liver disease,” he says.

FibroScan does two important things: it indicates the degree of fibrosis or scarring and assesses the amount of fat in the liver, key metrics for diagnosing fatty liver disease. These measurements help stage liver disease and guide treatment decisions for conditions like hepatitis B & C, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), alcohol-related liver disease and cirrhosis.

FibroScan is best for patients who have elevated liver enzymes or established liver disease, Type 2 diabetes, obesity or metabolic syndrome, history of alcohol use or viral hepatitis and symptoms like jaundice, fatigue or abdominal swelling. The benefits of the non-invasive FibroScan over traditional biopsy are many including ease, the time required, comfort and fewer risks overall.

Anyone with these risk factors can visit their Valley View primary care physician and ask for a referral for FibroScan, or to see both Dr. Gochanour or physician assistant Kristen Munks, who can provide a full history and exam and perform the FibroScan as a part of an in-office visit.

For more information on Valley View Gastroenterology Center, visit https://www.vvh.org/gastroenterology-center.