Abdominal scans may be required to evaluate patients with liver disease and digestive problems. Patients who need a scan may have an abnormal liver function test, abdominal pain, bloating, indigestion or significant weight loss. We offer the FibroScan test, CT scan, MRI scan and Ultrasound scan of the abdomen and pelvis. If you are interested in these tests, do contact us for an appointment.
Service : Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Liver FibroScan (Transient Elastography)
A FibroScan uses ultrasound waves and vibrations to measure the degree of liver fibrosis (‘hardening’). A healthy liver is soft, whereas a liver with fibrosis is hard. The presence of liver fibrosis indicates significant damage. If liver fibrosis is not treated, one may develop liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.
In the past, the assessment of liver fibrosis was done with a liver biopsy by a hepatologist. This requires the insertion of a large bore needle directly into the liver to extract liver tissue. It may cause pain and has a risk of bleeding. The FibroScan is a modern device, which obviates the need for a biopsy. It is painless and safe.
FibroScans are performed in individuals with liver problems, such as chronic viral hepatitis (e.g. Hepatitis B or C) and fatty liver which are common in Singapore.
Our FibroScan machine at Nobel Gastroenterology Centre is equipped with additional technology called Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP) which quantifies the amount of liver fat. This information enables us to track the progress of a patient with fatty liver disease.
Service : Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Computed tomography scan (CT scan) of the abdomen and pelvis
A CT scan utilises X-rays to construct an image of the organs in the body. An individual undergoing a CT scan lies on a special bed, which passes through a ring-shaped scanner. Intravenous, oral and rectal contrast may be administered for this test. A CT scan is quick to perform and requires half an hour to complete. As radiation is used, it is not recommended for pregnant women.
A CT scan examines solid organs (e.g. liver, pancreas, kidney, spleen) in detail. However, it cannot accurately examine hollow organs like the stomach and colon. Endoscopy (gastroscopy and colonoscopy) are more accurate in evaluating hollow organs, so they are complementary for the evaluation of digestive problems, because the abnormality may lie either in solid organs like the liver and pancreas, or hollow organs like the stomach and intestine.
Service : Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI scan) of the abdomen
The MRI scan is a painless diagnostic test, which utilises a magnetic field to generate images of the human body. Unlike a CT scan, the MRI scan is free of radiation. To perform this test, a patient is asked to lie on a special bed, which enters the MRI machine. This scan takes forty-five minutes to an hour to complete. During the procedure, contrast may be given via an injection.
The MRI scan is suitable for pregnant women and children. However, individuals who have non-MRI compatible metal implants in their body (e.g. pacemaker, artificial heart valves) cannot undergo this scan.
MRI scan is used to examine the liver and pancreas for abnormalities. It can also examine soft tissue, nerves and joints with a high degree of accuracy. The MRI scan can image the small intestine via a special protocol called an MRI Enterography.
Service : Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Ultrasound Scan of the abdomen
An ultrasound scan utilises sound waves to visualise the organs in the abdomen. This test is painless, free of radiation and inexpensive. The ultrasound scan is useful in the following situations:
A limitation of this scan is that ultrasound waves cannot penetrate an organ with air. Hence, it is unable to examine the stomach, small intestine or colon. Organs that are deep in the body, like the pancreas may not be visualised as well.
