Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Advancements in Non-invasive Liver Diagnostic

Non-invasive liver diagnostics have revolutionized the detection and monitoring of liver diseases, offering safer and more accessible alternatives to traditional liver biopsy. Among the most notable advancements is elastography, particularly transient elastography (FibroScan), which measures liver stiffness to assess the degree of fibrosis. This painless method is commonly used for conditions like NAFLD, NASH, and cirrhosis. The advent of Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE) has further improved accuracy by combining MRI with elastography, offering detailed images that help assess liver stiffness and architecture.

Additionally, serological biomarkers such as FibroTest and FIB-4 provide blood tests that predict liver fibrosis severity by measuring specific serum markers. These tests are non-invasive, cost-effective, and widely used in clinical practice. Another breakthrough is the development of genetic and molecular biomarkers, which help identify individuals at higher risk for liver diseases based on their genetic profiles.