Fibroscan® : un outil non invasif de mesure de la dureté du foie par élastométrie

Fibroscan^® is a new medical device that measures liver stiffness noninvasively. The method is based on one-dimensional transient elastography. Ultrasound signals (3,5 MHz) are used to follow the propagation of a low-frequency shear elastic wave (50 Hz) that propagates at a velocity that depends on liver stiffness. Measurement is performed on the right lobe of the liver using a probe that is placed on the skin surface. Result is obtained at the end of examination that takes about 5 minutes. Pilot and multicentre studies have shown that liver stiffness is strongly correlated to fibrosis stage obtained from liver biopsy on patients with chronic hepatitis C. Fibroscan^® could be used to improve the evaluation of patients with liver chronic diseases by reducing the number of liver biopsies and by allowing the following of treatments.