Diagnosing PBC

[Ellyne]

Are fibro scan and electrography the same thing what is it measuring compared to a liver biopsy? Ellyne

[LisaC22]

Hi Ellyne. No they measure two different things. A fibroscan measures the stiffness or elasticity of the overall liver & is basically able to see if there is any fibrosis or cirrhosis present. Fibrosis precedes cirrhosis (but if you have fibrosis it doesn’t automatically mean you will progress to cirrhosis). A biopsy takes a tiny piece of the liver & this is then analyzed at a cellular level under a microscope. However PBC does not necessarily show in the entire liver so biopsy is not necessarily accurate for diagnosis. If it’s positive then PBC is present. However a negative result does not mean there is no PBC - it just may not show in that particular piece. I’ve had both myself. Hope that helps.

[gwillistexas]

I’ve had fibroscan to stage, if any, fibrosis. My GI chooses fibroscan over biopsy. Biopsy not accurate to determine fibrosis. I’ve also read there are many new brands of fibroscan. I have heard, but not confirmed, elastography gives a deeper more accurate reading of scarring. Hope that helps.