Conflicting ultrasound and fibroscan reports - a liver question!

[The_Throwaway]

Hi guys, So I have a question due to receiving rather odd results from multiple sources. Today I received an ultrasound result which found 'mild coarse texture' to my liver - however I also got a Fibroscan which reported a '5' or 'no significant fibrosis'. Aren't these contradictory reports? And which is more reliable?

[HectorSF]

"Aren't these contradictory reports?"
No. These two different tests that measure different things.
So you can't equate the results.

"And which is more reliable?"
For staging liver disease? Only the Fibroscan measures the staging of liver disease.
"5" on the Fibroscan scoring card is equal to Stage 0 liver disease.
No fibrosis.

Ultrasound, unlike Fibroscan, is not used to and can not stage liver fibrosis. It is used to detect structural abnormalities. Such as "seeing" liver cancer tumors or the structural abnormalities of cirrhosis (nodular surface of the liver, an enlarged spleen or enlarged veins).
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J Clin Imaging Sci 2012,  2:58
Accuracy of Routine Clinical Ultrasound for Staging of Liver Fibrosis

"...routine clinical ultrasound does not have sufficient accuracy for detecting and ruling out early fibrosis. Routine clinical ultrasound is also not accurate for the detection of significant fibrosis, an important stage for management decisions."

Conclusion

"In summary, our study demonstrates that routine clinical ultrasound is a not an accurate predictor of early and significant liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis. Therefore, routine clinical ultrasound is not reliable for the staging of liver fibrosis and for making therapeutic decisions and for the assessment of prognosis in chronic liver disease secondary to chronic hepatitis.However, ultrasound is still useful in detecting cirrhosis."
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Hector

[fntn]

Your US results are probably due to fatty infiltration. Actual cirrhosis would tend to be more pronounced "texture wise" and yours are reported as "mild". This would also be consistent with the Fibroscan numbers indicating little fibrosis. However, the Fibroscan's sensitivity wrt mild fibrosis stages is a little fuzzy and it tends to do better with the higher levels of fibrosis including end-stage cirrhosis.

Not sure what triggered the US in the first place but it's a good wake up call towards paying more attention on your harmful pursuits. Good luck.