Liver stiffness in obese patients: First experience using the novel XL probe for vibration-controlled transient elastography

Aims: Measurement of liver stiffness (LS) by vibration-controlled transient elastography [VCTE/Fibroscan] is limited in patients with obesity and ascites. We here test and compare the recently developed more powerful XL probe versus the conventional M probe. Methods: LS was measured in 80 obese and non-obese patients (BMI range 17.2–72.4) using both the M and XL probe. In addition, BMI, waist to hip ratio, transaminases and basic liver ultrasound parameters were obtained. Results: LS was not measurable in 3 patients (3.7%) by the XL probe as compared to 23 patients (28.7%) by the M probe. At a BMI>33, hardly any…