Results and place of Fibroscan® in the non-invasive diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis

Background and aims. - Diagnosis of liver fibrosis by transient elastography (Fibroscan((R))) is a new and non-invasive method. We report its results, and compare them with the non-invasive biological tests. Results. - Fibroscan((R)) is validated for chronic hepatitis C, allowing to diagnose the fibrosis (Metavir) F2, F3 and F4 with areas under the ROC curve of 0.79-0.83, 0.90-0.91 and 0.91-0.97 respectively. The non-invasive diagnosis of the cirrhosis can be made with positive and negative predictive values from 70 to 95% and 77 in 95%. Preliminary data concern the HCV-HIV co-infections, primary biliary cirrhosis, NASH, portal hypertension, and the follow-up of the hepatic fibrosis. These results are altogether comparable to the various non-invasive biological tests, for cirrhosis diagnosis. Conclusions. - It's remain to determine the respective places of Fibroscan((R)) and non-invasive biological tests, in the liver fibrosis diagnosis. (c) 2006 Elsevier Masson SAS. Tous droits reserves.