By 1812Blockhouse
Avita Health System has introduced a new diagnostic tool at Ontario Hospital that allows physicians to evaluate liver health without the need for invasive procedures. The technology, known as shear wave liver elastography, is designed to detect and monitor chronic liver diseases by measuring how stiff the liver tissue has become over time.
The test is now available through Avita’s imaging department and represents a significant upgrade in how liver disease can be assessed locally.
A Noninvasive Alternative to Biopsy
Traditionally, diagnosing liver scarring required a liver biopsy, a procedure that involves inserting a needle into the liver to remove a small tissue sample for analysis. While effective, biopsies carry risks and can be uncomfortable for patients.
Liver elastography offers a different approach. The test uses ultrasound technology to send low-frequency vibrations, known as shear waves, through the liver. By measuring how quickly those waves travel through the tissue, the system can determine how stiff the liver is. Increased stiffness typically indicates the presence of fibrosis, or scarring.
The procedure is painless, noninvasive, and generally takes less than 30 minutes. Patients lie on their back while a technician places an ultrasound probe between the ribs over the right upper abdomen. The machine records the wave speeds and calculates a stiffness score that helps physicians evaluate liver health.
Detecting and Monitoring Chronic Disease
Doctors most often use liver elastography to assess chronic liver conditions such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcohol-related liver disease, and cirrhosis. The results provide a measurement of liver stiffness, usually expressed in kilopascals. These values are often translated into stages of fibrosis ranging from minimal scarring to cirrhosis. Because the test can be repeated easily, physicians can also track how liver disease progresses or evaluate how well treatments are working over time.
In some systems, elastography can also estimate the amount of fat present in the liver, offering additional insight into conditions such as fatty liver disease.
Advanced Imaging Equipment Now in Use
To support the new service, Avita recently acquired the Canon Aplio i-series Prism Edition ultrasound system. The platform includes advanced imaging capabilities designed to produce clearer images and improve diagnostic confidence.
According to Avita Health System President and CEO Jerry Morasko, the technology reflects the organization’s ongoing investment in patient care.
“We are dedicated to bringing innovative, forward-thinking technology to our community to elevate the standard of patient care,” Morasko said. “With advanced diagnostic tools, we can provide more accurate diagnoses and management, making liver elastography another investment that will help provide comprehensive evaluations of liver health.”
The system incorporates features such as proprietary AI filtering to enhance tissue detail and an autotune capability designed to help technicians obtain consistent imaging results.
Appointments and Access
Liver elastography testing is now available Monday through Friday at Ontario Hospital with a provider’s order. Patients who receive a referral can schedule the exam through Avita’s central scheduling office. Appointments can be requested by calling 419-462-3310.
For patients with chronic liver conditions, the addition of this technology means that monitoring disease progression may now be quicker, safer, and easier to repeat over time.
