Get comprehensive liver scans at our Melbourne clinic without a referral
Liver scans are key to spotting early warning signs and identifying damage to this essential organ over time.
Moonee Valley Specialist Centre is one of the only private practices in Melbourne to conduct liver scans using a state-of-the-art FibroScan® 502 Touch device.
The FibroScan® assesses liver damage, guides prognosis, and is often used as an alternative to a liver biopsy. Scans can help identify issues related to alcohol, fatty liver disease, hepatitis, fibrosis, hemochromatosis and disease, and prevent irreparable long-term damage.
The fee for this procedure is $195 and no referral is required.
Book now with Valerie Hur and avoid public waiting lists.
What is a liver scan?
A liver scan inspects your liver for signs of fibrosis (scarring) and steatosis (fatty). Fatty change is when fat builds up in your liver cells. The procedure is similar to an ultrasound scan. However, instead of using high-frequency sound waves to create a picture like an ultrasound does, a liver scan uses a series of short, pulsed, low-frequency sound waves to measure liver stiffness as well as sheer wave elastography (or vibration waves).
The result is displayed as a number, or score, rather than a picture. This number informs our specialists of how much scarring and fat the liver has. There is often a strong correlation between higher fat scores and higher fibrosis scores. Fibrosis is measured in kPa (Kilopascals) whilst steatosis is measured in CAP (Controlled Attenuation Parameter).
Why should you consider getting a liver scan?
More than 6 million (one in four) Australians are living with some form of liver disease. Most of these people will, at some stage, need testing to assess if the disease has damaged their liver.
Maybe you’ve had some recent blood tests that have resulted in your GP requesting further investigations. Maybe you’ve been a heavy drinker for years and are wondering if it did any damage. Maybe you’d like a thorough assessment of your overall health or need some peace of mind – or, at the very least, a plan of how to help your liver going forward.
Which diseases does a liver scan test for?
The FibroScan® 502 Touch has been validated for assessment of severity and long-term monitoring in most liver diseases, including:
- Alcohol-related liver disease
- Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD or NASH) now known as Metabolic Associate Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD)
- Hepatitis B and C
- Advanced fibrosis
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Cholestatic liver disease (PBC and PSC)
- Drug related liver disease
- Alcohol related Disease
- Hemochromatosis
- HIV/HCV Coinfection
- Cholestatic Disease
- Cirrhosis
Is there any prior preparation before a liver scan?
Please ensure you have nothing to eat, drink, smoke or chew for a minimum of 4 hours prior to your procedure to avoid having to repeat the scan. You may have water up until the procedure.
Do I need a referral?
You do not need a referral. A liver scan is a self-referred procedure.
How much does a liver scan test cost in Melbourne?
Currently, there is no MBS rebate for a liver scan. The fee for this procedure is $195. There are very few machines available and waiting time through the public hospital can be up to 6 months or longer, depending on your category of triage.
Book now with Valerie Hur and avoid public waiting lists.
How long will it take?
A liver scan procedure itself takes approximately 10 mins. If an appointment with Dr Connelly is required, this will be booked separately.
Why get a liver scan?
Liver scans are a reliable staging tool for physicians to minimise patient risk, and is often used as an alternative to a liver biopsy (or to decide if a liver biopsy is in fact appropriate).
The reading may be used to estimate the existing degree of liver damage, monitor disease progression or regression via serial measurements, or guide prognosis and further management, including treatment.
Free metabolic scan included
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What is the process?
A liver scan at our Melbourne clinic is a painless procedure similar to an ultrasound and takes about 10 minutes. Please ensure you have nothing to eat, drink, smoke or chew for a minimum of 4 hours prior to your procedure to avoid having to repeat the scan. You may have water up until the procedure.
Why choose Moonee Valley Specialist Centre for your liver scan?
Liver scans are run by Registered Nurse Nicole Starbuck-Connelly and supported by Dr. Nathan Connelly, a leading and highly respected liver specialist (hepatologist) and gastroenterologist. Based in Essendon, Nicole and Nathan have more than 40 years of combined experience as liver scan specialists.
After your scan, Nicole will discuss your result and what action may be needed in relation to your liver health. She will advise seeing a specialist only if this is indicated in the results of your scan, which will be immediately available.
Frequently asked questions
Below are some commonly asked questions about the liver scan procedure. If you can’t find the answer to your question below, you can request a call back from our staff here.
Yes, you do. Bookings can be made online or by calling our clinic on (03) 9372 0372. We also provide colonoscopy treatment, capsule endoscopies, IV iron infusions, gastroscopy and other health services.
Book now with Valerie Hur and avoid public waiting lists.
You could bring someone from your family or a friend to the centre. However, they would not be allowed into the procedure room
Please call our friendly staff on 03 9372 0372. There are no cancellation fees.
A liver scan can detect various abnormalities or conditions affecting the liver, including fatty liver disease, liver cysts, tumors, and cirrhosis. It can also assess blood flow within the liver and evaluate the size, shape, and texture of the liver.
The images obtained during the liver scan will be reviewed by a radiologist, who will then provide a report to your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will discuss the results with you and recommend any further evaluation or treatment if necessary.
Book a liver scan appointment at MVS Centre in Melbourne today
If you are looking for a “hepatologist near me”, then you’re in luck as Moonee Valley Specialist Centre is the only private clinic in Victoria to possess a FibroScan® 502 Touch. Our experienced specialist team of nurses and hepatologist in Melbourne will walk you through the entire process and give you a thorough breakdown of the results and recommended next steps.
Established in 2011, Moonee Valley Specialist Centre has provided outstanding patient care outcomes for 10 years and is dedicated to your comfort and satisfaction. Our friendly reception team is available from 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Call us on 03 9372 0372 or book now with Valerie Hur and avoid public waiting lists.
*All information is general in nature and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. See a doctor if you experience a persistent change in bowel habits or if you have signs and symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease.
