Is Fibroscan a Substitute to Ultrasound in Prdicting Liver Fibrosis?

Abstract

Background and Aim: Conventionally ultrasound examination of hepatobiliary system is undertaken to assess non-specifically the liver echotexture. However at times we do find chronic liver disease even cirrhosis of liver having normal liver echotexture on ultrasound examination. Liver biopsy though gold standard is invasive, costly. Therefore it is always a need for more specific test. Fibroscan is newly introduced test in hepatology practice. A fibroscan value of <8 kPa is considered as normal, a value ≥8 kPa as advanced fibrosis and ≥11 kPa as cirrhosis of liver. Methods: Patients suffering from chronic hepatitis B were evaluated. These patients were divided into two groups. Group A having fibroscan value of <8 kPa, Group B having fibroscan value ≥8–10.9 kPa, Group C having fibroscan value ≥11 kPa. All patients had his/her ultrasound examination done. Adult patients (age >15 years) of both sexes, having chronic hepatitis B infection were included in the study. These patients were selected randomly. Results: A total of 320 patients of both sexes having chronic hepatitis B infection participated in the study. These patients were in compensated state (no jaundice, no ascites and no encephalopathy). Their age range was 11–70 years, mean 32.47 years. M:F was 85:15. The study revealed a high negative predictive value of fibroscan (87.8%), a high positive predictive value (71.4%) and specificity (87.8%) of ultrasonogram (Table 1).Table 1Comparison of Sensitivity, Specificity, Positive Predictive Value (PPV), Negative Predictive Value (NPV).Fibroscan of liverUltrasonogramSensitivity71.4%32.1%Specificity57.8%87.8%PPV32.1%71.4%NPV87.8%57.4% Open table in a new tab Conclusion: Fibroscan examination of liver may be done to rule out presence of cirrhosis of liver in chronic hepatitis B patients. The authors have none to declare.