The accuracy of FibroScan® for staging liver fibrosis (scarring) has now been demonstrated in nearly all liver disorders, including fatty liver, hepatitis C, hepatitis B, alcoholic liver disease, hemochromatosis, cystic fibrosis, autoimmune liver diseases, drug-related fibrosis (e.g., due to methotrexate), and others.​​

A liver ultrasound uses sound waves to produce a visual image of the liver, like a blurry photograph. Similarly, CT and MRI produce images of the liver, albeit based on different technologies. None of these procedures provide information about the severity of liver scarring except in very extreme circumstances (i.e., advanced cirrhosis). Unlike the imaging procedures described above, the FibroScan® does not take an image of the liver, and therefore, cannot identify findings such as liver cancer, gallstones, or bile duct problems. However, unlike these procedures, FibroScan® measures liver stiffness and is much more sensitive for identifying scarring (i.e., fibrosis). In other words, the greater sensitivity of the FibroScan® allows one to identify liver scarring at an earlier stage than these imaging procedures, and therefore, start appropriate treatment before the disease is too advanced. With respect to fatty liver, the FibroScan® is also more sensitive than the other procedures described above and has the advantage of being able to quantify or grade the severity of fatty infiltration.

The FibroScan® is typically performed as an alternative to liver biopsy, which is an invasive procedure that involves passing a needle through the skin into the liver to take a small piece for microscopic examination. Due to its invasiveness, biopsy may cause complications including pain (seen in 1 in 5 patients), bleeding (1 in 1,000 patients), and/or death (1 in 10,000 patients). On the contrary, the FibroScan® is entirely non-invasive and has no known complications. Liver biopsy also requires a patient to miss a day of work whereas a FibroScan® appointment takes only 15 minutes. Lastly, biopsies sample only 1/50,000th of the liver, whereas the FibroScan® samples 1/500th of the liver (a 100-fold difference). Therefore, the FibroScan® may give more accurately assess liver health. Liver imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT, and MRI provide images of the liver but do not give an accurate assessment of the stage of liver damage except in very severe cases when it's generally too late to intervene.

In patients with ascites (fluid in the abdomen), the exam may fail. In other patients, liver stiffness may be elevated due to liver problems other than scarring (e.g., severe inflammation, congestion due to heart failure, or bile duct obstruction). In the past, FibroScan® was not permitted in pregnant patients or those with implanted cardiac devices, but the procedure is now permitted in these situations.

Yes, FibroScan® is useful in children. While a specially designed probe (the S2 probe) may be needed, we do not currently carry this probe. Nevertheless, most children can be scanned using a standard, adult (M) probe. If you would like your child to have a FibroScan®, please contact us at info@liverscan.ca or by calling 416-268-0150. If we cannot scan your child, we will not charge you for your FibroScan®.

The FibroScan® examination is an entirely non-invasive, painless procedure, with no known complications. You will only feel a gentle tapping over your liver in the right upper abdomen. The entire appointment will last less than 15 minutes.

Your entire appointment will last less than 15 minutes.

All FibroScan® examinations are performed by experienced, certified technicians who have performed thousands of examinations.

We recommend you fast for at least 3 hours prior to your FibroScan® because a large meal may cause an overestimation of liver stiffness. During this period, consumption of liquids and medications is acceptable. There are no restrictions after the procedure.

In 1-2% of patients, we cannot obtain a FibroScan® measurement. Most of these 'FibroScan® failures' occur due to obesity; however, with a specially designed probe (the XL probe), failures are infrequent. Nevertheless, if we cannot obtain a measurement, we will not charge you for your FibroScan®.

There are no limits on the frequency of FibroScan® examinations. Repeat FibroScans® are often performed every 1 to 2 years to monitor for disease progression or improvement. For example, in patients with fatty liver, intermittent monitoring of liver stiffness and CAP can determine if the fatty liver is improving with treatment (e.g., weight loss or control of diabetes and/or high cholesterol).

Physicians interested in referring a patient for a FibroScan® are requested to fax (647-494-3243) or email (info@liverscan.ca) our FibroScan® referral form. We will contact you directly to schedule your appointment. Alternatively, physicians are encouraged to use our secure, online booking platform to book an appointment for their patient.

Yes, you can book an appointment by pushing the button at the top of this page that reads 'BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT ONLINE'. This will take you to our secure online booking platform which provides all available appointment times. You can select a clinic and time that is most convenient and will be asked to provide a few basic contact details that will remain confidential. It takes less than one minute to complete the entire process. If you prefer to book an appointment over the phone, please call 416-268-0150, or email info@liverscan.ca.

We require at least 24 hours notice prior to a cancellation or rescheduling your booking. If you do not provide at least 24 hours notice, Liver Scan Direct may invoice you the full cost of the procedure. To cancel or reschedule, please visit our online booking platform or email info@liverscan.ca.

Liver Scan Direct offers satellite clinics in the offices of partner physicians throughout Toronto, Scarborough, Mississauga, Richmond Hill, North York, Woodbridge, Newmarket, Burlington, Barrie, Waterloo, Kitchener, Guelph, and London. Please inquire about scheduling at one of these locations if more convenient for you. If you are a physician interested in scheduling group bookings at your office, please contact us at 416-268-0150 or email info@liverscan.ca. In some circumstances, financial support from third parties may be available to support FibroScan® clinic days.

Since the FibroScan® is not covered by provincial health care plans (e.g., OHIP), we charge $150 for the procedure. We accept payments by cash, VISA, MasterCard, or Amex, and debit payments at certain locations. You will receive a receipt after your appointment. Private insurers and employee flexible spending accounts may reimburse this fee and it may be claimed on your income tax return.

All reports are provided by a board-certified, licensed, and experienced gastroenterologist/hepatologist who is recognized as a global expert on the use of non-invasive tests such as FibroScan® for the assessment of liver disease severity. Each report includes an assessment of the reliability of the scan, summary of the findings, and recommendations for patient management and follow-up.

Your liver stiffness and CAP measurements will be provided to you at your appointment. A formal report will also be faxed to your physician(s) within a week of your appointment. Please provide your physician's name and fax number at your appointment and he/she will review your results with you. Beyond reporting of FibroScan® results, Liver Scan Direct does not provide consultation services.

Yes. In addition to receiving your liver stiffness and CAP measurements at the end of your appointment, we will send you a formal report via our secure online booking platform or email, if requested. Please allow up to one week to receive your report.

Liver Scan Direct collaborates with pharmaceutical companies and specialty pharmacies to enhance patient access to FibroScan® technology. If you represent one of these entities and are interested in discussing a collaboration, please contact us at info@liverscan.ca.

Yes, we frequently perform FibroScans® for clinics and patients participating in clinical trials. Please contact us at info@liverscan.ca if interested in discussing our clinical trial services.

No, but we collaborate with NutriProCan, a team of registered dieticians across Canada. NutriProCan offers a comprehensive Liver Health Program that provides advice regarding dietary and lifestyle modifications that can be helpful for fatty liver and other liver disorders. Appointments can be made on NutriProCan's online booking platform or using their referral form.