Advanced Technologies Delivers Bespoke Liver Scans

Liver Scan Brisbane provides a service of excellence for patients requiring Fibroscan®, without the need for Specialist Consultation. Complex technology backed by robust clinical data, allows a simple scan to provide a reliable and proven method of estimating liver fibrosis. This may avoid invasive methods such as liver biopsy, allowing for prompt initiation of health interventions where necessary.

Patients are at risk of fibrosis/cirrhosis in the majority of liver conditions and diseases, including Abnormal Liver Function Tests, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), Alcoholic Liver Disease, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Haemachromatosis, and therapeutic drug use (e.g. Methotrexate, Amiodarone and many anti-depressant medications). Risk of fibrosis is increased in patients with Diabetes and Cardiac Disease. Over time, the accumulation of liver fibrosis can result in cirrhosis (severe or irreversible fibrosis). The presence of fibrosis and its sequelae has a substantial impact on a person’s morbidity and mortality. It is beneficial to identify the presence of liver fibrosis before it becomes severe and complications arise.

Fibroscan® uses vibration controlled transient elastography (VCTE) to assess liver fibrosis or stiffness. Shear waves are propagated from the probe and ultrasound follows the shear waves, measuring the speed at which the waves travel to a particular depth in the liver and back again. The greater the degree of fibrosis the ‘stiffer’ the liver – the faster the wave response, the greater the fibrosis. A Fibroscan®, takes approximately 15 minutes and causes no discomfort to the patient and in the majority of patients prevents having a liver biopsy. We also provide a non-invasive measurement of steatosis or the amount of fat in the liver – the Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP™). It is based on the attenuation of ultrasound signals from the Fibroscan®, expressed in dB/m and combines with the fibrosis measurement to track the progression of liver disease. Risk factors for Hepatic Steatosis include but are not limited to obesity, diabetes and excessive alcohol consumption.

A Fibroscan® is not performed in isolation – the current standards suggest assessment is optimal if used in parallel with the patient’s clinical data (LFT’s, Platelet count, BMI). This provides the patient, General Practitioner and Specialist all the information required for that individual’s assessment. All reports are reviewed by Dr Tony Rahman (Hepatologist & Gastroenterologist) as part of the governance process around quality assurance and patient safety.

Referral requirements:

• A referral is not essential but preferred.
• Patients full name and date of birth, indication for Fibroscan®, FBC and liver function tests (preferably within 4-12 weeks), your contact details for the report.
• Patients are required to fast for three hours prior to the scan, but drinking water is fine.
• If a consult with Dr Tony Rahman is also required please state this on the referral.

Liver Scan Brisbane is part of the Brisbane Gastro Clinic, providing specialist services in Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endoscopy, Colonoscopy and Nutrition. All scans are performed by our Specialist Nurse, Nicola Rahman. Nicola has an extensive career in Liver and Intensive Care Nursing, and progressed to the role of Sister, managing the world-renowned referral Centre for patients with liver disease at Kings College Hospital, London UK (1996). Nicola then commenced a Regional Transplant Coordinator Post in Oxford, UK (1998), before returning to London as a Nurse Educator at St Thomas & Guy’s Hospital. She was also the first In-House Donor Transplant Coordinator in the UK in 2000 at St Georges Healthcare, London, a trial project which was successfully rolled out nationwide in 2002 in UK hospitals.

Following a family career break, Nicola returned to Intensive Care Nursing before the move to Brisbane, Australia eight years ago. Nicola was appointed as Clinical Research Coordinator, Wesley Research Institute Clinical Trials Centre and in 2015 employed by Brisbane Gastro Liver Clinic, with the development of the Liver Scan Brisbane service. Nicola’s experience of patients with Liver disease gives her a unique understanding of the patient’s health issues when being referred for Fibroscan®.

Liver Scan Brisbane’s Fibroscan® service is featured in the InFocus Magazine.