Radimed Westmount Square now offers a non-invasive liver health assessment service that combines ShearWave Elastography and UGAP (Ultrasound-Guided Attenuation Parameter) measurement.
This approach helps estimate liver tissue stiffness and fat content, two key parameters that may assist healthcare professionals in better documenting certain liver conditions.
Who Might Benefit from This Examination?
A healthcare professional may recommend this evaluation for individuals with risk factors or medical histories related to liver health, such as:
- Diabetes or metabolic syndrome
- Fatty liver disease (hepatic steatosis)
- History of viral hepatitis
- Regular alcohol consumption
- Medical follow-up requiring liver function evaluation
The decision to perform this examination always rests with the physician or healthcare professional responsible for the patient’s care.
How Is the Examination Performed?
ShearWave Elastography uses ultrasound waves to assess liver stiffness.
At the same time, the UGAP measurement evaluates ultrasound attenuation to estimate the amount of fat present in the liver.
General Characteristics
- Approximate duration: 10 to 20 minutes
- Non-invasive and painless method (no needles or sampling)
- Patients are often advised to fast for about three hours before the test to ensure optimal accuracy
- Performed by a qualified medical imaging professional
- Results can be sent to the referring physician for interpretation and inclusion in the patient’s medical file
During the examination, the patient usually lies on their back, with the right arm positioned behind the head.
An ultrasound probe is placed on the skin over the liver area using a conductive gel.
The device emits gentle ultrasound pulses and analyzes the speed of shear wave propagation through the liver tissue to estimate stiffness.
The UGAP measurement complements this process by providing additional information on liver fat content (steatosis).
Sources
- Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver – Liver Diseases and Screening: https://www.hepatology.ca
