Liver elastography is a non-invasive scan that measures how stiff the liver is to check for liver fibrosis, the scarring caused by chronic liver disease. Stiffness increases as scar tissue builds up, so a higher reading indicates more fibrosis.
The scan uses sound waves or magnetic pulses, so nothing is removed from the body and no tissue sample is needed, unlike a liver biopsy. It is used to diagnose and monitor liver conditions and supports early detection of liver disease.
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
hepatitis, 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.
Type of Liver Elastography
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.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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 | $49.05 |
| Ultrasound Liver (Full HBS) | $196.20 |
| Ultrasound Elastography | $272.50 |
| Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE) | $566.80 |
|
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 last updated on Feb 06, 2026. While every effort is made to keep pricing information up to date, please contact our team to confirm the latest rates.
How Do I Book a Liver Elastography Appointment?
ATA Medical @ Tanjong Pagar
Sat: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Sun & PH: Closed
Last appt: 5:15 PM (Mon–Fri), 12:15 PM (Sat)
ATA Medical @ Orchard
Sat: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Sun & PH: Closed
Last appt: 5:15 PM (Mon–Fri), 12:15 PM (Sat)
ATA Medical @ Jurong
Sat: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Sun & PH: Closed
Last appt: 5:15 PM (Mon–Fri), 12:15 PM (Sat)
ATA Medical @ Novena
Sat: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Sun & PH: Closed
Last appt: 5:15 PM (Mon–Fri), 12:15 PM (Sat)