The Medical City's Liver Center pioneers FibroScan probe

MANILA, Philippines - The Medical City, through its Center for Liver Disease Management and Transplantation (Liver Center), is the first in the Philippines to introduce the FibroScan probe — a non-invasive, painless and speedy alternative to biopsies used for assessing fibrosis, or the formation of scar tissue due to injury or long-term inflammation.

The early detection of fibrosis is key to preventing chronic liver disease, which is associated with conditions such as hepatitis B, alcoholic liver disease, and fatty liver disease.

Pressed gently against the upper right side of the patient’s abdomen, the probe makes use of transient elastography, creating a special pulse whose velocity is measured via ultrasound. The velocity determines how stiff the patient’s liver is — the stiffer the liver, the greater the degree of fibrosis.

Based on the test’s results, the patient may then be recommended to Liver Center specialists for further analysis and treatment.

“Through devices such as the FibroScan probe, patients at our center benefit from a more accurate and thorough assessment of their health, and are better able to make timely and informed decisions regarding the associated treatment,” said Dr. Vanessa de Villa, Liver Center director.

“This is in keeping with The Medical City’s unique philosophy of patient partnership, which is based on patients and doctors establishing collaborative relationships in the pursuit of truly personalized and customized treatment,” she added.

The Liver Center is a world-class facility managed by a team of internationally trained and renowned liver surgeons, transplant surgeons, hepatologists, radiologists, oncologists, pediatricians and intensivists.

The Liver Center offers diagnostic, therapeutic, medical, surgical and radiologic services for acute and chronic liver conditions.