Both prognosis and therapeutic strategy for the patients presenting with chronic liver diseases strongly depend on the severity of fibrosis. Indirect elastometry of the liver is a new non-invasive technique that allows to rapidly estimate the manifestations of hepatic fibrosis and their dynamics. The method is based on the property of mechanical oscillations and its propagation with different velocities in various media and tissues. It has been extensively applied in different countries during the recent 15 years. The present review includes the most important publications on the subject of interest that illustrate the experience with the application of the method being considered both abroad and in this country.