Liver Elastography: Ultrasound and MRI from $152.42 (2025)

Liver Elastography

  • Jan 4, 2025
  • 5 Minutes Read
  • Authored By: Dr. Leonard Leng
  • Liver Elastography vs. Other Imaging Techniques, Preparation and Costs, Applications and Accuracy

Liver elastography is an advanced, noninvasive imaging technique used to assess liver stiffness, primarily for diagnosing and monitoring liver fibrosis caused by chronic liver disease. It evaluates liver elasticity by measuring the speed of sound waves or magnetic pulses as they move through the liver, unlike traditional biopsies that require invasive surgical tissue extraction. This makes it a practical test for assessing liver stiffness, allowing for the early detection of liver disease.

Ultrasound image of a patient’s liver as part of a liver elastography procedure to assess liver stiffness.

What Is Liver Stiffness?

Liver stiffness refers to how firm or elastic liver tissue is, with increased stiffness often indicating damage or disease. Damage from chronic hepatitisM, fatty liver disease, or excessive alcohol consumption can lead to fibrosis, where liver cells become scarred and hardened. Advanced fibrosis may progress to cirrhosis, significantly impairing liver function and posing serious health risks, including liver failure, portal hypertension, and liver cancer.

  • Low Stiffness: Indicates a healthy or minimally affected liver.
  • Moderate Stiffness: Suggests mild to moderate fibrosis, which may call for lifestyle changes or treatment.
  • High Stiffness: Signals severe fibrosis or cirrhosis, requiring urgent medical care.
Stages of liver disease, from healthy to fibrosis and cirrhosis, can be assessed by measuring liver stiffness through elastography.

Type of Liver Elastography

Imaging technician performing ultrasound-based elastography on a young female patient by measuring the speed of sound waves to evaluate tissue stiffness.
Female patient undergoing magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) to create detailed images of liver stiffness over a larger area, allowing for more precise detection of changes in the liver.

There are two main types of liver elastography:

  • Ultrasound-Based Elastography: Utilises ultrasound technology to send sound waves into the liver, measuring their speed to evaluate tissue stiffness.
  • Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE): Combines MRI scanning with sound waves to create detailed images of liver stiffness over a larger area, allowing for more precise detection of changes in the liver.
Imaging technician performing ultrasound-based elastography on a young female patient by measuring the speed of sound waves to evaluate tissue stiffness.
Female patient undergoing magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) to create detailed images of liver stiffness over a larger area, allowing for more precise detection of changes in the liver.

Who Is a Liver Elastography Recommended for?

Liver elastography is recommended for individuals with chronic liver conditions such as hepatitis B or C, fatty liver disease, or those at risk of cirrhosis. It serves as an additional non-invasive diagnostic tool to provide more detailed insight into liver health, especially for individuals with elevated liver enzymes or signs of liver damage detected through liver function blood tests.

Liver Elastography Procedure

Liver elastography is a straightforward and painless procedure that typically involves the following steps:

  1. Preparation: Before the procedure, you may be advised to fast and avoid certain medications to ensure accurate readings. Specific instructions may vary based on the type of elastography and individual needs.
  2. During the Test: For ultrasound-based elastography, you will lie on an examination table while a handheld transducer emits sound waves for imaging. For magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), you will lie inside an MRI scanner that uses mechanical waves for imaging. The process typically takes 10 to 30 minutes.
  3. Post-Test: Initial results for ultrasound-based elastography may be available immediately or shortly after the exam. MRE results often require more processing time and are usually discussed with a doctor during a follow-up consultation. Your doctor may provide treatment recommendations or suggest lifestyle adjustments based on the findings to help manage or improve liver health.
Doctor reviewing the results of liver elastography with a middle-aged Singaporean man during a follow-up consultation.

Benefits of Liver Elastography

While liver biopsy is considered the gold standard for diagnosing liver disease, elastography complements liver function blood tests to provide insights into liver health, offering significant benefits such as:

  • Non-Invasiveness: Eliminates the need for needles or surgical intervention, reducing the risks of bleeding and infection.
  • Suitable for Ongoing Monitoring: Generally considered safe for repeated use, making it ideal for long-term liver health monitoring.
  • Fast Results: Typically provides results promptly, aiding in timely clinical decision-making.

However, certain factors can affect accuracy, including obesity, excessive alcohol intake, and severe liver inflammation. Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) generally offers more precise readings in complex cases compared to ultrasound-based methods.

Cost of Liver Elastography

At ATA Medical, we provide a variety of tests to assess liver health, with the prices as follows:

Test Price*
Consultation $38.15
Ultrasound Liver $150.42
Liver Function Test A
Total Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase [ALP], ALT/SGOT, AST/SGPT, Gamma GT 		$30.52
Liver Function Test B
Total Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase [ALP], ALT/SGOT, AST/SGPT, Gamma GT, Total Protein, Albumin, Globulin, A/G Ratio) 		$34.88
Liver Function Test C
Total Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase [ALP], ALT/SGOT, AST/SGPT, Gamma GT, Total Protein, Albumin, Globulin, A/G Ratio, LDH, Hepatitis Bs Antigen & Antibody, Hepatitis A Total IgG, Alpha Fetoprotein [AFP]) 		$91.56
*Prices are NETT and inclusive of GST.

How Do I Book a Liver Elastography Appointment?

ATA Medical @ Orchard

Address: 1 Orchard Blvd, #05-09 Camden Medical Centre, Singapore 248649
Nearest MRT: Orchard Boulevard Station (TE13)
Contact Number: 6223 0682
Email: camden@atamed.sg
Opening Hours:
Mon - Fri: 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Sat: 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Sun & PH: Closed
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ATA Medical @ Tanjong Pagar

Address: 72 Anson Rd, #01-02 Anson House, Singapore 079911
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar Station (EW15)
Contact Number: 6223 0682
Email: hi@atamed.sg
Opening Hours:
Mon - Fri: 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Sat: 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Sun & PH: Closed
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Nearest MRT: EW15 Tanjong Pagar

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Nearest MRT: TE13 Orchard Boulevard

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Liver elastography is a noninvasive imaging technique used to measure liver stiffness, aiding in the diagnosis and monitoring of liver diseases like fibrosis and cirrhosis.
Ultrasound creates standard images of the liver to visualise its size, shape, and structure. Elastography, however, is a specialised technique that can use ultrasound or MRI to measure liver tissue stiffness, aiding in the detection and monitoring of conditions such as liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.
Elastography is a broader term that includes various techniques, such as ultrasound-based elastography and magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), to measure liver stiffness. FibroScan, on the other hand, is a specific type of transient ultrasound-based elastography. Consulting a doctor is recommended to determine the best option for you based on your specific health needs.
Preparation generally involves fasting for 3 to 4 hours before the procedure to ensure accurate results. Specific instructions may vary, so it is important to follow your doctor's guidance and inform them of any medications you are taking.
The accuracy of elastography may be affected by factors such as obesity and severe liver inflammation. Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) can provide more precise results than ultrasound-based elastography but is more costly. Nonetheless, elastography is a non-invasive method that offers valuable insights into liver health for both diagnosis and ongoing monitoring.
At ATA Medical, we offer ultrasound liver at $150.42 and magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) at $566.80. All prices are NETT and inclusive of GST but exclude consultation and treatment fees.
Yes, drinking water is generally allowed, but you should avoid eating or drinking anything else before the test if instructed by your clinic.
Elastography is noninvasive, suitable for ongoing monitoring, and provides fast results, making it ideal for tracking liver conditions and health over time.
Fasting for a few hours before the procedure is typically recommended, as food and certain beverages can affect liver and abdominal structures, potentially impacting the accuracy of the imaging.
A shear wave elastography machine uses focused ultrasound pulses to generate shear waves within the liver, creating mechanical vibrations that measure tissue stiffness. This technique offers a more detailed evaluation of liver stiffness compared to standard ultrasound imaging.
FibroScan is a specific type of transient ultrasound elastography that measures liver stiffness using a probe. In contrast, ultrasound elastography is a broader term that includes various types, such as shear wave elastography, which provides more detailed imaging of liver tissue stiffness.
Individuals with chronic liver conditions such as hepatitis, fatty liver disease, or those at risk of fibrosis or cirrhosis may need elastography. It may also be recommended for those with abnormal results from liver function tests or signs of liver damage, as elastography can provide further insight into liver health.
At ATA Medical, magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) costs $566.80 and ultrasound liver costs $150.42. All prices are NETT and inclusive of GST but exclude consultation and treatment fees.
Normal liver stiffness scores typically range from 2 to 6 kPa (kilopascals), which is a unit of pressure used to measure tissue stiffness. Higher scores indicate increasing levels of fibrosis or cirrhosis, reflecting more significant liver damage.
Lifestyle changes such as a balanced diet, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting alcohol intake can help reduce liver stiffness.
Liver elastography is highly accurate, but its precision can be influenced by factors such as BMI, liver inflammation, and the presence of fat in the liver. Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) generally provides higher accuracy and better imaging quality than ultrasound-based methods, making it more reliable in complex cases.
The frequency of liver elastography depends on individual conditions and your doctor’s recommendations. Those with chronic liver disease may require periodic testing for continuous monitoring and to track disease progression.
Yes, liver stiffness from early-stage fibrosis can often be reduced or reversed with lifestyle changes and medical treatment. Advanced cirrhosis, however, is typically irreversible and requires treatment focused on symptom management, slowing disease progression, and preventing complications, with severe cases potentially needing a liver transplant.
Shear wave elastography is a type of ultrasound elastography that uses focused sound waves to create shear waves in the liver. The speed of these waves is measured to assess tissue stiffness, providing precise, real-time imaging of liver elasticity.
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