Quantitative liver stiffness assessment • London & St Albans
Liver shear wave elastography
A gentle, non-invasive ultrasound-based examination that measures liver stiffness in kilopascals (kPa) to support fibrosis assessment and monitoring, with quantitative measurements and a clear clinical report.
- No GP referral required
- Usually 20–30 minutes
- Quantitative kPa report
About the examination
What is liver shear wave elastography?
Liver shear wave elastography is a specialised ultrasound technique that generates gentle shear waves and measures how quickly they travel through liver tissue. Stiffer tissue transmits the wave differently, allowing the scanner to produce a quantitative liver-stiffness measurement, usually expressed in kilopascals (kPa).
Higher stiffness can be associated with liver fibrosis, but the result must be interpreted in context. Recent meals, active inflammation, biliary obstruction, venous congestion, acute illness, alcohol exposure and technical factors can influence the reading.
People often search for this type of assessment as a “FibroScan”. FibroScan is a specific transient-elastography system, while shear wave elastography may be performed on a diagnostic ultrasound platform. Both approaches assess liver stiffness, but the technology, quality measures and report format may differ.
What the scan provides
A focused, quantitative liver assessment
The examination is designed to obtain technically reliable liver-stiffness measurements and place them in an appropriate clinical context.
Liver stiffness
Multiple shear wave measurements are acquired from an appropriate area of the right liver lobe.
Quantitative result
The report records a representative liver-stiffness value, commonly expressed in kilopascals.
Measurement quality
Repeat acquisitions and quality indicators are reviewed to support a technically reliable result.
Focused liver views
B-mode ultrasound is used to identify a suitable measurement window and avoid vessels or focal structures.
Clinical interpretation
Findings are interpreted with the information you provide and the limitations of elastography.
Next-step guidance
The report may recommend GP, hepatology, blood-test or further imaging follow-up where appropriate.
Your actual result is based on multiple measurements and is interpreted in context, rather than from a single reading.
When it may help
Common reasons to book liver SWE
- Raised liver enzymes, including ALT, AST or GGT
- Fatty liver suspected or previously reported on ultrasound, CT or MRI
- Type 2 diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol or metabolic syndrome
- Regular alcohol intake above recommended limits or previous heavy alcohol use
- Known chronic hepatitis B or C, autoimmune liver disease or an inherited liver condition
- Monitoring response to weight loss, reduced alcohol intake, medication or specialist treatment
This is not an emergency service. Seek urgent medical attention for severe abdominal pain, vomiting blood, black stools, confusion, collapse, rapidly increasing abdominal swelling or new marked jaundice.
Who may benefit
When a liver stiffness assessment may be useful
Elastography is commonly used to support risk assessment, establish a baseline and monitor change over time in people with liver-related risk factors or known chronic liver disease.
Fatty liver and metabolic risk
For people with suspected or known fatty liver disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, high triglycerides or central weight gain.
Abnormal liver blood tests
When ALT, AST, GGT or other liver blood-test results remain elevated and a clinician has recommended non-invasive fibrosis assessment.
Alcohol-related liver risk
To assess a baseline or monitor change where there is regular alcohol intake, previous heavy use or known alcohol-related liver disease.
Viral hepatitis
As part of the broader assessment or monitoring of diagnosed chronic hepatitis B or C, using condition-appropriate interpretation.
Other chronic liver conditions
Including autoimmune, cholestatic or inherited conditions, and medication-related risk where elastography has been advised by the treating clinician.
Monitoring progress
To compare measurements after lifestyle change, weight loss, reduced alcohol intake or treatment, using a clinically appropriate repeat interval.
Before you arrive
How to prepare for liver elastography
Fast before the scan
Please avoid food for at least three hours before the appointment, or for the exact period stated in your booking confirmation. Recent food intake can increase measurement variability.
Avoid alcohol for 24 hours
Where possible, avoid alcohol during the 24 hours before the scan. Small sips of still water are generally acceptable unless your confirmation states otherwise.
Medication and health conditions
Continue essential medication unless advised otherwise. Contact the clinic if you have diabetes, are pregnant, have ascites, or fasting may be unsafe.
Clothing and previous results
Wear a two-piece outfit for easy access to the right upper abdomen. Bring relevant liver blood tests, medication details and previous imaging or hepatology reports.
Your appointment
What happens during the scan?
- 1
History and consent
Your practitioner confirms your details, relevant symptoms, diagnoses, medication, blood tests and previous imaging, and answers questions before starting.
- 2
Comfortable positioning
You usually lie on your back with your right arm raised to widen the rib spaces. Gel is applied over the right upper abdomen.
- 3
Multiple stiffness measurements
The probe sends gentle pulses through the liver. Several readings are taken from a suitable area while you briefly pause your breathing, helping the practitioner assess measurement quality.
- 4
Explanation and report
The measurement itself commonly takes 10–15 minutes; allow around 20–30 minutes for the visit. Your report records the result, limitations and appropriate next steps.
Your report
Understanding liver elastography results
Your report provides a quantitative liver-stiffness measurement and explains how it should be interpreted alongside your clinical history, blood tests and previous imaging.
Liver stiffness
The main output is commonly expressed in kilopascals. Higher values generally indicate stiffer liver tissue, but a single number is not a diagnosis.
Fibrosis context
Clinicians may relate the measurement to fibrosis stages from F0 to F4. Cut-offs differ by liver condition, device, technique and clinical setting.
Measurement reliability
Multiple acquisitions and quality indicators are reviewed. Technical difficulty or inconsistent measurements may limit interpretation or require repeat assessment.
What the report means
- Lower stiffness generally suggests a lower probability of advanced fibrosis.
- Higher stiffness may require correlation with blood tests, ultrasound or hepatology review.
- Results are most useful when compared using the same technique and an appropriate clinical interval.
- A high reading does not automatically mean cirrhosis, and a low reading does not exclude every liver condition.
| Report element | What it represents | How it is used |
|---|---|---|
| Liver stiffness (kPa) | A quantitative estimate of how stiff the sampled liver tissue is. | Supports fibrosis risk assessment, monitoring and decisions about further review. |
| Technical quality | The consistency and reliability of the acquired measurements. | Helps determine whether the result can be confidently interpreted. |
| Clinical recommendation | Suggested next steps based on the measurement and information available. | May include GP or hepatology discussion, blood tests, structural ultrasound, MRI or interval review. |
Understanding the service
Liver ultrasound, SWE and FibroScan are related but different
Standard liver ultrasound
Evaluates structure, including liver size, contour, echotexture, visible focal findings and relevant nearby organs. It does not normally quantify liver stiffness.
Shear wave elastography
Uses a diagnostic ultrasound platform to generate quantitative stiffness measurements from a selected liver region, usually reported in kPa.
FibroScan / transient elastography
A dedicated transient-elastography technique that measures stiffness and, on compatible systems, may also provide CAP-based fat assessment.
Safety and limitations
A safe test that still needs clinical context
Liver SWE is non-invasive, uses no ionising radiation and is suitable for repeated monitoring, but it is one part of a broader liver assessment.
No needles or radiation
The examination is generally well tolerated and does not require injections, sedation or recovery time.
Not a cancer test
Elastography assesses stiffness; it does not diagnose liver cancer or replace structural imaging when a focal lesion is suspected.
Results can be influenced
Meals, alcohol, active inflammation, biliary obstruction, heart-related congestion, obesity and technical factors may alter the reading.
Further tests may be needed
Depending on the findings, blood tests, liver ultrasound, MRI, specialist review or occasionally biopsy may still be recommended.
Tell us about technical factors
Please tell the clinic in advance about significant obesity, ascites or previous technically difficult scans so suitability can be reviewed.
Monitoring is personalised
The most appropriate repeat interval depends on your risk profile, diagnosis, treatment and the advice of your GP or liver specialist.
PrivateSono
Advanced liver imaging with clear reporting
Choose a focused, self-referred liver stiffness assessment in Central London or St Albans, with quantitative measurements, clear explanation and a report you can share with your GP or liver specialist.
Book liver SWE — £359Experienced practitioners
Examinations performed by appropriately trained ultrasound professionals.
Quantitative assessment
Multiple liver-stiffness measurements with technical quality review.
Clear communication
Results explained in accessible language with a written clinical report.
Flexible access
Self-referral and online booking across two convenient clinic locations.
Clinic locations
Private liver elastography near you
Good to know
Liver elastography FAQs
Clear answers to common questions before you book.
Still unsure? Call 020 7101 3377What is liver shear wave elastography?
It is a non-invasive ultrasound technique that measures the speed of shear waves through liver tissue and produces a quantitative liver-stiffness result, usually in kilopascals. The measurement supports fibrosis assessment when interpreted with your history, blood tests and other imaging.
Is shear wave elastography the same as FibroScan?
They are related but not identical. FibroScan is a specific transient-elastography system. Shear wave elastography may be performed on a diagnostic ultrasound platform. Both assess liver stiffness, but the technology, quality indicators and available additional measurements can differ.
Is this the same as a standard liver ultrasound?
No. A standard liver ultrasound mainly evaluates structure and visible abnormalities. Standalone SWE focuses on quantitative stiffness measurements. A combined service may be more appropriate when both structural and stiffness assessment are required.
Who should consider liver elastography?
It may be useful for people with raised liver enzymes, suspected fatty liver, diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, alcohol-related risk, chronic hepatitis, other chronic liver conditions, or those monitoring response to lifestyle or treatment changes.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. PrivateSono accepts self-referrals. Please provide relevant diagnoses, medication, liver blood-test results and previous imaging so your report can be interpreted in the correct context.
How should I prepare?
Avoid food for at least three hours before the appointment, or follow the exact fasting period in your booking confirmation. Avoid alcohol for 24 hours where possible, continue essential medication unless advised otherwise, and wear a two-piece outfit.
How long does the appointment take?
The measurements usually take around 10–15 minutes. Allow approximately 20–30 minutes for history, positioning, repeated readings, explanation and reporting.
Is liver elastography painful or harmful?
The examination is non-invasive and uses no ionising radiation. Most people find it comfortable, although you may feel gentle pressure or tapping over the right upper abdomen.
What do kPa and F0–F4 mean?
kPa is the unit commonly used to report liver stiffness. Clinicians may relate stiffness to fibrosis stages from F0 to F4, but cut-offs vary by liver condition, equipment and clinical context. Your result should not be interpreted from a universal online chart.
Does this scan measure liver fat?
Not automatically. Some FibroScan systems provide CAP and some ultrasound platforms offer separate attenuation-based fat measurements. Fat quantification is only included when it is specifically performed and listed as part of your confirmed service.
Can elastography diagnose cirrhosis or liver cancer?
Elastography can support fibrosis and cirrhosis risk assessment but cannot diagnose or exclude cirrhosis by itself. It does not diagnose liver cancer. Further blood tests, structural imaging, specialist review or biopsy may be required.
Can meals, alcohol or inflammation affect the result?
Yes. Recent meals, alcohol, active liver inflammation, biliary obstruction, venous congestion, acute illness, obesity and technical factors may influence stiffness measurements.
What happens if my result is high?
The practitioner will explain the result and the report may recommend GP or hepatology review, liver blood tests, structural ultrasound, MRI, lifestyle measures or follow-up elastography, depending on the clinical context.
How often should liver elastography be repeated?
The interval is personalised. It depends on your diagnosis, risk factors, treatment and whether the scan is being used to monitor change. Your GP or liver specialist should advise the appropriate timing.
How much does liver shear wave elastography cost?
The standalone liver shear wave elastography appointment costs £359. Live availability is available through the online booking page.
Appointments in London & St Albans
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