Fibroscan® probe selection for lean adults

Abstract

Background and Aim: Fibroscan® is used to assess fibrosis and steatosis of the liver noninvasively. The company suggests to use the S+-probe in people <18 years with a thoracic circumference (TC) between 45 and 75 cm and the M+-probe in children with a TC >75 cm and adults with a skin–liver capsule distance <2.5 cm. For lean adults with a TC ≤75 cm, no comparative studies have been performed. Furthermore, it is unclear whether lean adults need to be fasted before assessment. Methods: We compared liver stiffness (LS) using Fibroscan® S+- and M+-probes and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP; only available for M+-probe) in healthy volunteers with a TC ≤75 cm compared with those with a TC >75 cm in fasting state and after intake of a standardized light meal (300 kcal). Results: We examined 50 volunteers (26 female, 24 ± 3 years). Twenty-two participants were in the TC ≤75 cm group and 28 in TC >75 cm group. LS values with the S+-probe were 15% higher than with the M+-probe in both groups (median difference 0.6 kPa, P < 0.001). Both probes showed good agreement with minimal bias (Spearman correlation r = 0.754, P < 0.001; Interclass Correlation Coefficient 0.843, P < 0.001; Bland–Altman bias 0.6 ± 0.9 kPa, linear regression r2 = 0.557, P < 0.001). Intake of a light meal had no relevant influence on LS (S+- and M+-probes) or CAP measurements (M+-probe) in both groups. Conclusion: Lean adults with a TC below 75 cm can be assessed with either the S+-probe or the M+-probe and may take a light meal before assessment.