Having a Liver Fibroscan
There are limitations with a liver fibroscan test. These include accurate staging within the subset of moderate liver fibrosis, testing in the presence of significant liver inflammation, and in the obese patients. It is not a direct replacement for a liver biopsy which provides additional information such as the cause of fibrosis and liver inflammation.
Due to the potential limitations of the liver fibroscan, it is important for any patient to consult a liver specialist (or a gastroenterologist with liver expertise) to assess the clinical problem and advise on the appropriateness of a liver fibroscan.
Patients in Coventry and Warwickshire who require a liver fibroscan currently have the following options.
NHS Patients
Liver fibroscan is available at the Liver Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham and the Gastroenterology Unit, University Hospital Coventry.
The liver fibroscan is performed in the clinic setting, not in the x-ray department. It would be advisable to fast for 2 - 3 hours before the test. There is no other specific preparation necessary to have the test.
Private Patients
For insured (or self funding) patients, liver fibroscan is offered by the liver specialists based at BMI The Priory Hospital Birmingham.
There is currently no insurance tariff/ code for a liver fibroscan. The patients normally attend a new consultation beforehand, and then attend a dedicated follow up visit to have a liver fibroscan.
If you live outside of Birmingham, and wish to avoid multiple visits, one option would be for you to consult a liver specialist in your local private hospital in the first instance. After an initial assessment, you can be referred to Birmingham for a single visit liver fibroscan as appropriate, and then return to your local liver specialist for follow up.
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