Clinic with a hepatologist in Ichinomiya City, Aichi
Hepatology
Hepatology at Ishiguro Clinic is examined by hepatologists certified by the Japanese Society of Hepatology.
The liver is often called the "silent organ" because diseases can progress without noticeable symptoms, and abnormalities are often discovered suddenly during health check-ups.
The causes can vary and include hepatitis viruses (such as B and C etc.), other viruses (such as Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus etc.), medications, and autoimmune conditions (such as autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cholangitis etc.).
In recent years, fatty liver disease due to lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption, stress, and extreme dieting has also increased.
For individuals with viral hepatitis or alcohol-related chronic liver disease, the progression of the disease can lead to conditions such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, which are not uncommon.
Fatty liver (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: NAFLD) in people who are not habitual drinkers is now known to have "non-alcoholic steatohepatitis", which can even cause cirrhosis.
In treatment, it is very important to establish a treatment plan by conducting detailed examinations with appropriate blood tests and ultrasound examinations.
In some cases, the cause of the disorder cannot be identified, and it is essential to have a specialist with extensive experience and knowledge specializing in liver disease to determine how to proceed with treatment and follow-up.
At our clinic, our director, a hepatologist certified by the Japanese Society of Hepatology, has specialized experience and knowledge in the treatment of liver diseases.
Liver function examination
Liver damage scrutiny
Fatty liver
Viral hepatitis
Alcoholic liver disease
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
Autoimmune hepatitis
Primary biliary cholangitis
Examination equipment
Echography (Abdominal ultrasonography)
Ultrasonography uses high-frequency sound waves, which are inaudible to the human ear, to send ultrasonic waves into the body, receive the reflected waves back, and use computer processing to create images for diagnosis.
It is a painless procedure in which the probe, which is an ultrasound generator, is simply placed on the body surface, coated with jelly, and adhered closely to the body. It is a safe method that does not involve radiation exposure like x-rays or CT.
If abnormalities are found in the ultrasound examination, further specialized tests such as CT or MRI using contrast agents may be necessary. Our clinic can arrange appointments for these tests at nearby general hospitals.
Diseases detectable by ultrasound examination
Chronic hepatitis
Ascites
Kidney stone
Cholesystitis
Cyst
Liver cirrhosis
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
Splenomegaly
Dilated bile duct
gallstones
Hepatic tumor
Fatty liver
Examination fee
Examination site
Liver
10% copayment
About 500 yen
30% copayment
About 1,500 yen
*Consultation, guidance, and medication fees are required separately as needed.
We have facilities to perform more detailed examinations
if deemed necessary based on the results of the ultrasound examination.
Attenuation Imaging(ATI)
We measure the degree of ultrasonic frequency-dependent attenuation within the tissue to diagnose fatty liver. This method allows us not only to determine the presence of fatty liver but also to measure its degree and progression.
Shear wave Elastography(SWE)
The velocity of shear wave propagation is measured using a push-pulse to assess liver stiffness, irrespective of the liver's shape. This method enables the evaluation of fibrosis, not just cirrhosis.
