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Elastography

Elastography is a non-invasive imaging procedure used to evaluate the stiffness or elasticity of tissues, particularly the liver, breast, thyroid, and prostate. It works by sending mechanical or sound waves through the tissue and measuring how the tissue responds. Stiffer tissues may indicate disease or scarring, while softer tissues are typically normal. Elastography provides a visual map, often called an elastogram, that helps doctors assess tissue health without the need for surgery or biopsy.
Elastography is an advanced medical imaging technique that measures the stiffness or elasticity of tissues in the body. It is often used alongside ultrasound or MRI to detect diseases that cause changes in tissue stiffness, such as liver fibrosis, tumors, or certain inflammatory conditions. Elastography is painless, non-invasive, and provides important diagnostic information that can guide treatment decisions.
Elastography

Types of Elastography

There are two main types of elastography:

  • Ultrasound Elastography (USE)
    This method uses sound waves to assess tissue stiffness. It includes:

    • Transient elastography (commonly used for liver)

    • Shear wave elastography

    • Strain elastography

  • Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE)
    This technique uses MRI to generate detailed images of tissue stiffness, especially useful for deep organs like the liver.

What are Some Common Uses of the Procedure?

Elastography is commonly used to:

  • Assess liver fibrosis and monitor chronic liver diseases (hepatitis, fatty liver, cirrhosis)

  • Evaluate breast lumps to differentiate between benign and malignant tumors

  • Examine thyroid nodules for signs of cancer

  • Assess prostate stiffness to help detect prostate cancer

  • Evaluate muscle and tendon injuries

  • Monitor treatment response in various diseases

How Do I Prepare for My Elastography?

Preparation for elastography is usually simple:

  • For liver elastography:

    • Avoid eating or drinking for 2–3 hours before the procedure to improve image quality.

  • For breast, thyroid, or prostate elastography:

    • No specific preparation is typically needed.

  • Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes and follow any instructions provided by your doctor.

What Will Happen During My Elastography?

During the scan:

  • You’ll lie on a cushioned table that slides into the MRI machine

  • The scan is painless but requires you to lie still for 45–90 minutes

  • You may hear loud knocking sounds—earplugs or headphones are provided

  • In contrast scans, a contrast dye may be injected through an IV

  • Our technician will monitor you throughout and communicate as needed

After the scan, you can resume your normal activities. The images are reviewed by a radiologist, and a detailed report is shared with your referring doctor.

What Are the Reasons for an Elastography?

Doctors may recommend elastography to:

  • Check for liver scarring in hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or fatty liver disease

  • Evaluate suspicious lumps in the breast or thyroid

  • Help differentiate benign from malignant tumors

  • Avoid or reduce the need for invasive biopsies

  • Monitor disease progression or treatment response over time

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