Fibroscan

Fibroscan as an alternative method to liver biopsies

The gold standard in the assessment of liver diseases is liver biopsy. However, thanks to the newly-devised Fibroscan technology, ultrasound waves are now used instead of biopsies in many liver diseases. As a result, a larger area of the liver can be assessed. Gastroenterologist Prof. Melih Özel has answered our questions about the non-interventional Fibroscan method.

What is Fibroscan?

Cirrhosis of the liver is the much-avoided outcome of chronic liver diseases. It is the result of an ongoing process called “fibrosis” which manifests itself in stages. Defining the staging correctly plays an important role in the decision-making process for both the treatment the  follow-up.

Liver biopsy is the gold standard in the assessment of fibrosis, but because it is an invasive procedure and because of the challenges regarding the repeatability of it, an alternative method which is reliable, repeatable and non-invasive has been developed for the evaluation of liver fibrosis. This modality is called the “transient elastography” technique, provided by the Fibroscan device.

What are the features of the Fibroscan device?

Fibroscan is a device that numerically measures the elasticity of the soft tissue using transient elastography method. Fibroscan transmits low-frequency and low-amplitude ultrasonic waves through the liver tissue. The transmission rate of the wave is related to the elasticity of the tissue it penetrates. As the stiffness of the tissue increases, the distribution speed of the wave increases equally.
The device identifies this speed and computes a numeric value, demonstrating objectively the amount of the fibrosis in the liver.

What are the advantages of the Fibroscan method?

In addition to eliminating the need for a biopsy from the liver, fibroscan enables a more thorough assessment of the liver as a whole.

The application of the procedure takes place in a matter of minutes. No other preparation than fasting for 4 to 6 hours is required for the procedure. The patient does not feel any pain during the procedure, which takes only minutes to be completed.

This procedure enables doctors to ascertain the extent of fat that built-up in the liver as well as the elasticity and stiffness of the liver, thereby identifying the level of damage. Easy application and repeatability are two important advantages. Since this is not an invasive procedure, it has no side effects and does not cause any discomfort.

For which diseases do we use Fibroscan?

Fibroscan can be used for all liver diseases that can cause chronic damage in the liver. Here’s a list of what these conditions could be:

  • Evaluation of liver enzyme elevations  
  • Chronic viral hepatitis
    • Chronic Hepatitis B 
    • Chronic Hepatitis C 
    • Chronic Hepatitis D (Delta Hepatitis) 
  • Autoimmune hepatitis
  • Medication-related chronic liver damages
  • Primary biliary cholangitis
  • Preoperative risk assessment of the liver
  • Non-cirrhotic portal hypertension
  • Wilson disease
  • Fatty liver damage due to all causes as well as fatty liver related hepatitises (hepatosteatosis and steatohepatitis)

Medical Technologies

All Technologies
Fibroscan

The gold standard in the assessment of liver diseases is liver biopsy. However, thanks to the newly-devised Fibroscan technology, ultrasound waves are now used instead of biopsies in many liver diseases.

More information
Fibroscan
Hybrid Operating Room

"Hybrid operating room" refers to a new concept of operating rooms where advanced medical imaging systems and medical devices can be used simultaneously.

More information
Hybrid Operating Room
Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery or robot-assisted surgery, "da Vinci" system of small holes can be defined as the realization of some operations.

More information
Robotic Surgery
CyberKnife M6

Eliminate tumor surgically lifting up a certain limit, it is a system that prevents the harm of radiation to normal tissues.

More information
CyberKnife M6
Varian Edge

The Varian Edge, first used in Turkey at Anadolu Sağlık Merkezi, is one of the advanced radiotherapy devices that combines the most advanced technologies in cancer radiotherapy.

More information
Varian Edge
Radixact

The Radixact device, produced by Accuray, is the newest model in the "tomotherapy" device family.

More information
Radixact
PET-CT

PET/CT, PET (Positron Emission Tomography) and CT (Computed Tomography) techniques combining in the same device is an imaging method that provides more information than they give them separately.

More information
PET-CT
Intraoperative Radiotherapy

In the treatment of breast cancer, radiotherapy today focuses on delivering lower intensity, lower doses, to fewer areas, and for shorter durations.

More information
Intraoperative Radiotherapy
MR-TRUS Fusion

Tumor targeted MR-TRUS Fusion Biopsy is a method, which detects foci suspicious of prostate cancer, and ensures taking biopsy from these foci with millimetric sensitivity by means of an advanced technology device and software.

More information
MR-TRUS Fusion
Radiology Equipment

Radiology Equipment

More information
Radiology Equipment
Ultrasonography

Ultrasound, or more formally, ultrasonography, is a medical imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images.

More information
Ultrasonography
4D Mammography

It is a diagnostic method used to detect breast cancer and reduce breast cancer-related deaths by examining breast tissue with low-dose X-rays.

More information
4D Mammography
Mammography

Mammography is the most effective imaging method for early diagnosis of breast cancer, which ranks as the second leading cause of death among women.

More information
Mammography
ECG

It is a quick and painless test commonly used for the detection of certain heart diseases.

More information
ECG
Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS)

Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS), performed at only a few centers in Turkey, is a diagnostic method with low complication risks. What sets it apart is its ability to simultaneously diagnose and stage lung cancer in a single session, minimizing time loss for the patient.

More information
Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS)
Healthy Teeth with Three-Dimensional Oral Scanning Technology

Technological advancements are providing significant opportunities in dental care, as in other fields. Dr. Arzu Tekkeli, Clinical Coordinator of the Oral and Dental Health Department at Anadolu Sağlık Merkezi, explains that "three-dimensional oral scanning allows for the internal structure of the mouth to be scanned and images to be transferred to a computer, enabling the production and placement of a new tooth with almost zero error on the same day. Three-dimensional oral scanning, achieved through the digital integration of three different devices, quickly resolves issues such as missing teeth, tooth alignment, broken teeth, fillings, or crowns in just one day. This means patients do not have to make multiple visits to the clinic for treatment. The same method also provides quick and long-lasting results for many other dental problems." Dr. Arzu Tekkeli provided important insights on the topic.

More information
Healthy Teeth with Three-Dimensional Oral Scanning Technology
MR Linac

Significant advancements are being made in cancer treatments today. One of the areas experiencing the most important developments is Radiation Oncology.

More information
MR Linac
StemWave

Tissue Regeneration Technology (TRT) is based on the principle of using high-energy sound waves (mechanoacoustic) generated by a special liquid and electrical arc system, which are directly delivered to the damaged, painful area via a transducer (mechanotransduction). The successive high-energy sound waves stimulate the healing process at the cellular, tissue, and systemic levels through natural effects in the treated area.

More information
StemWave
Sialendoscopy Method (Salivary Gland Endoscopy)

Sialendoscopy is an endoscopic procedure that involves visualizing the salivary gland duct and diagnosing and treating salivary gland diseases. The method first diagnoses the pathology within the duct, and then endoscopic treatment is performed either in the same session or in a subsequent session.

More information
Sialendoscopy Method (Salivary Gland Endoscopy)
Computed Tomography

Fast and clear imaging: We provide high-resolution images that accelerate disease diagnosis with artificial intelligence and deep learning applications.

More information
Computed Tomography

Gastroenterology Department

Department Doctors

Gebze

Gastroenterology Department

Prof. Ahmet Melih Özel

Gebze

Gastroenterology Department

Prof. Zülfikar Polat

Gebze

Gastroenterology Department

Assoc. Prof. Hasan Murat Gürsoy

Show All
Gebze

Gastroenterology Department

Prof. Ahmet Melih Özel

Gebze

Gastroenterology Department

Prof. Zülfikar Polat

Gebze

Gastroenterology Department

Assoc. Prof. Hasan Murat Gürsoy

Show All