Liver Elastography

Liver elastography is a type of ultrasound imaging that directs painless low frequency vibrations into the liver to measure how quickly these vibrations move through it. A computer uses this information to create a visual map showing the stiffness of the liver.

By measuring the stiffness of your liver, elastography can look for disease in the liver and:

• Detect and assess the severity of liver disease.
• Determine the risk or presence of complications of liver disease.
• Guide treatment decisions.
• Monitor response to treatment.

This exam is the same as an abdomen ultrasound with the use of elastography technology at the end of the exam. Please inform the sonographer performing your exam if you’ve had abdominal surgery or the removal of your gallbladder, spleen, or kidney.

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR MY EXAM?

• No food or drink (except water) in the six hours before your exam.
• Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment to allow enough time to check in with reception.
• Bring photo identification, your provincial health card, and your requisition.
• Take all prescribed medications as directed.
• Wear comfortable clothes.
• Please do not bring children who require supervision.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING MY EXAM?

• Your sonographer will ask you to expose your abdomen to scan the area.
• A warm, non-scented, hypo-allergenic ultrasound gel will be applied to your stomach.
• The sonographer will move the transducer (probe) around the front and side of your abdomen and ribcage to gather images of your organs.
• The sonographer will ask you to perform various breathing techniques that aid in obtaining the best images of your organs.
• You may be asked to lie on your side, sit, or stand to bring your organs into a better position.
• You may experience mild to moderate pressure while the sonographer takes the images.
• The radiologist may come into the scan room after your exam to speak to you about your results. You will then be free to leave.

WHEN WILL I GET MY RESULTS?

We do our best to have our radiologists interpret the information and forward the results to your doctor by the next business day.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

This exam is covered under the Alberta and Saskatchewan Health Care Plans.