fibroscan

[celtictiger67]

just a little question if anyone knows answer would b appreciated firstly been treated with interferon and ribavarin for 48 weeks finished treatment and undetected 2 month to check for svr so in that sense everything is great all bloods goin up n down slowly what i would really like answered is im cirrotic dont know what stage got a fibroscan today before treatment it was 8.8 and after treatment it is 6.3 i know its a n improvement but would b appreciated if any members cl explain results what stage of cirhosis jow much improvement the 2 is etc thanks for helping and explaining things through my treatment as this forum has been priceless to me and no doubt many others thanks
                 geo

[celtictiger67]

Thanks hector yes spleen is enlarged by 2 cm sitting at 13 im in uk and they dont like giving files etc asked for them while ago n she said had to write to here n here im due for a  ct scan in july so im going to ask person doing it just figures and facts r confusing me now as its saying moderate damage but i asked heptologists nurse whate stage of cirhosis i had and she said we dont do stages of cirhosis now so guess person doung ct scan in  july will be getting  a lot more questions asked
        thanks hector rexx73
                          geo

[rexx73]

fibroscan results must always be reading together with blood labs and clinical assesment.
in some poeple the results can vary from day to day.
i had 3 fibroscans within 5 months,the first showed 10.4,the second 5.7 and another one 9.4.sucess rate was always 100%.

[HectorSF]

First, your blood level will return to normal in time.

"cirrhosis through bloods mri and ct also had endoscopy and no varices"
What blood tests indicate cirrhosis?
Having cirrhosis than any previous  MRI and CT showed a nodular liver?
Was your spleen also enlarged? "Splenomegaly".
(Both of these can be determined by a physical exam as well.)
No varices means you don't have portal hypertension which only if you have very early cirrhosis is that possible.

The diagnosis of cirrhosis really doesn't add up at least on the info you have provided. Do you have any previous scan reports? That would indicate cirrhosis on the scan report.
Do you have a low platelet count which would indicate cirrhosis and portal hypertension?

The fibroscan says you only had moderate liver disease (8.8) before starting treatment and even less liver disease now.
Obviously either your doctor or the fibroscan is wrong. From everything you have presented it seems like your doctor.

Hector

[celtictiger67]

Found this little piece about Fibroscan

Fibroscan is a non-invasive test using a sound wave to measure the elasticity of the liver and is being used more and more in the UK. As damage to the liver increases, so it becomes stiffer. The stiffer or less elastic the liver, the faster the sound wave travels. The Fibroscan has been shown to be accurate in measuring little or no damage and in measuring cirrhosis. It has been less accurate at distinguishing intermediate degrees of fibrosis.

The machine is calibrated from 0 to 75, with around 4 representing no liver damage, 4-12 increasing amounts of fibrosis, 12-15 the beginnings of cirrhosis.

Its advantage over a biopsy is that it is quick and completely painless. This is because the probe is simply placed against the skin and nothing is inserted into the body. It is also capable of distinguishing differing degrees of cirrhosis as 80% of its entire range measures cirrhosis. For example, a score of 30 indicates existing or imminent decompensation.
                       geo

[celtictiger67]

would also like to add dr must have concluded cirhosis through bloods mri and ct also had endiscopy and no varices but never actually had a biopsy thanks
                         geo

[celtictiger67]

thanks hector for quick reply as usual my lover doctor has always said i have corhosis and significant liver damage i did check fibroscan results and its really confused me now since treatment stopped 4 weeks ago platletts and hamegoblin have been goin up albumi was always bout 27 diring treatment now 24 hopefully that will start to climb soon but after seing nurse today ang gettin fiboscans im totally confused im in the uk does that make a dif with fiboscans iv e also had fragments of stones in bile ducts since first doagnosis does this affect results  any ones advice would b appreciated  thanks
                       geo

[HectorSF]

If your numbers are correct you had every little liver disease before starting treatment. 8.8kPa = F2 on the METAVIR scoring system. F2=portal fibrosis with rare septa. Collagen build up almost entirely around the portal area with some branching out beyond the portal area. Moderate fibrosis. You never had cirrhosis which is stage 4 liver disease or F4. Maybe you meant fibrosis?

A person with chronic hepatitis C and a liver stiffness more then 14 kPa has approximately a 90% probability of having cirrhosis.

Your current 6.3 kPa = F1-portal fibrosis without septa. Minimal fibrosis.

You have an excellent chance of having cured your hep C. Continue your follow up viral load tests just to be sure.

To learn more about Fibroscan here is a link to the the score card...
http://hepatitiscnewdrugresearch.com/fibroscan-results-the-scoring-card.html

Be well!
Hector